News from the (Eagles) Nest

• This week we will read chapter 9-11 in our Goochland Reads book

• 5th grade parents - The evening of January 22 is Middle School Curriculum Night from 5:30-7!

• See below for more information on the Winter Wipe Out campaign (January 20-February 5).

• The Glow Dance is on Friday, February 6th!

• We will have an after-school event to celebrate finishing our Goochland Reads book on Thursday, January 29th from 2:30-3:30.

• Friday, January 30th is a teacher work day and a student holiday.

• Kindness Spirit Week is coming up February 9-13!

• Follow us on social media for updates on school events!

Would you like to submit pictures of school or special events for our annual yearbook? If so, please use this form!

As winter continues, we often see an increase in respiratory and seasonal illnesses. Thank you for helping us keep our school community healthy.

Please keep your child home if they have:

• A fever of 100.4°F or higher

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• An unknown rash

• Multiple cold-like symptoms (headache, cough, sore throat, fatigue, lethargy, etc.)

Before returning to school, students should be free of symptoms (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, etc.) for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

For certain respiratory viruses such as flu, COVID-19, or RSV, students may return to school when symptoms are improving and they have been fever-free for 24 hours without medication.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting the health and well-being of our students and staff.

The annual Winter Wipe Out Campaign will run from January 20-February 5th. Each week we will collect different items to help our school with this winter season. At the end of campaign the class that collects the most will win a prize, and we can all celebrate at our Glow Party on Friday, February 6th!

Each year, all three elementary schools in Goochland participate in a community-wide reading event. Each student, faculty member, and staff member received a copy of this year’s book selection to keep.

We will read one chapter each night (Monday–Thursday) until we finish the book on January 29. If we have inclement weather and miss school, students should still stay on track with the reading schedule.

Christine Fauver has recorded each of the chapters for our community can listen to the story as an audiobook. You can access the chapters HERE.

Please also mark your calendar for our after-school celebration to wrap up the event on Thursday, January 29, from 2:30–3:30 PM. Students will bring home a permission slip for this after-school event.

We hope you enjoy this year’s book selection and the opportunity to read together as a family and community!

Parents of 5th graders, please plan to attend the middle school Curriculum Night on Thursday, January 22nd from 5:30-7.

Starting at 5:30 pm, there will be food trucks on site, a wrestling match to see, and an optional information session for rising 6th graders at 6 pm in the auditorium. Please join us to hear about the courses from the teachers themselves!

Helping children grow as confident readers is one of the most powerful ways families can support learning beyond the classroom. Our Reading Specialists invite you to take a few minutes to explore this helpful video resource filled with practical tips for strengthening your child’s reading comprehension skills. From asking thoughtful questions to encouraging meaningful conversations about books, these simple strategies can make reading time more engaging and effective for every learner.

🎥 Watch the video here:
https://meadowscenter.org/resource/helping-your-kid-withreading-comprehension/

Thank you for partnering with us to nurture curious minds and joyful readers!

Join us on Thursday, February 19, 2026, for an exciting night celebrating innovation, creativity, and student learning across GCPS!

Our students will take the lead as they showcase hands-on projects, meaningful learning experiences, and real-world problem-solving happening in classrooms every day.

Thursday, February 19, 2026
5:30–7:00 PM
GMS/GHS Cafeterias

What to expect:
- Food trucks
- Student exhibits
- Interactive displays
- A division-wide celebration of learning

Bring your family, invite your neighbors, and come see the incredible things GCPS students are creating and accomplishing!

Kindergarten Registration Alert!

Online Registration Begins: April 6

In-Person Screening: April 9

Child must be 5 years old by September 30 of the upcoming school year.

We can’t wait to meet our future students!

Please see the Volunteering page on the GCPS website to view the Volunteer Recruitment Form!

We encourage all interested volunteers to fill out the form to help us match your skills and interests with the perfect opportunities within our schools. Your time and expertise are invaluable to the success of our students, and we are grateful for your support!

Please designate the grade level of the student turning in can tabs. Thank you!

If you would like to know more about he process for purchasing titles for our library, then please read more about our district procedures outlined here.

Please notify the office about transportation changes via email at beseagles@glnd.k12.va.us. If you have daily transportation needs, please make sure you provide changes at the beginning of each week for the entire week. Please make sure you have all transportation changes in prior to 1:00 PM, this allows staff time to communicate all necessary changes and avoids confusion when a call is not received. We appreciate your support.

Parents who wish to chaperone a field trip or volunteer regularly in our school must submit to a background check every 2 years using the BIB portal. The process is completely electronic. If you are having problems with the system, contact Demetra Harris at dharris@glnd.k12.va.us.

• PowerSchool parent portal
• Add money to student lunch accounts
• Breakfast/lunch menus
• Pay school fees
• School calendars
• GCPS virtual family assistance center
• GCPS Parent-Student Handbook
• Byrd Parent Group Facebook
• Byrd Parent Forum Facebook
• Meet the Byrd Elementary Faculty and Staff

Principal: Andrew Meiller

Office Hours: 7:30am - 4:00pm

Arrival: 7:45am - 7:55am

Instructional Hours: 7:55am - 2:15pm

Dismissal: 2:15pm (car riders) - 2:30pm (buses)

Website: https://bes.goochlandschools.org/
Location: 2704 Hadensville-Fife Road, Goochland, VA, USA
Phone: 804-556-5380
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ByrdEagles/
Twitter: @EaglesBes

Instagram: @byrdeagles