WELCOME, DRAGONS

GMES PTA CALENDAR RECAP :​​​

• Sun. Sept. 28, 11:59pm - Baroody Fall Programs Online General Registration closes

• Tues., Sept. 30 - ACPS verification forms due

• Wed., Oct. 1 - GMES Chipotle Restaurant Night

• Thurs., Oct. 2 - NO SCHOOL - Yom Kippur

• Fri., Oct. 3 - GMES Directory Form completion Due Date

• Mon., Oct. 13 NO SCHOOL - Indigenous Peoples Day/ Parent-Teacher Conferences

• Tues., Oct. 14 - Baroody Fall Programs Begin​​​
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• BAROODY FALL AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS UPDATE

Important Update: Baroody Registration Extended & Low-Enrolled Programs 

There is still A LOT of space in the Baroody after school classes. Please check out the class options via this link HERE! and spread the word to your friends to register. See the attached flyer with the latest on which classes have space available (see open classes and those labeled low enrollment). Unfortunately we had to cancel a few classes, and those families are able to move to a different class.

Registration EXTENDED to Sunday, September 28 @ 11:59pm.
**PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR FALL SESSION WILL NOW RUN FROM OCT. 14 THRU Dec. 18**

As a reminder, our Baroody after-school programs WILL have a late activity bus that will bring your child home to their regular bus stop at the end of the day! Please see the attachment for any other frequently asked questions. 

 

• VOLUNTEER FOR OUR "BOOK BUDDIES" PROGRAM

Help a Child Learn to Read! Become a Book Buddy!

Do you or someone you know have an hour a week to help a George Mason first grade student learn to read?  The Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC) needs volunteer reading tutors!  Tutors work one-on-one with their student, Tuesday and/or Wednesday, 8:45 - 9:30, October through May.  You do not need to be a teacher to do this - ATC provides training, materials and support - and you will make a huge difference for a child.  It is important, though, to be there every week.  Contact ATC's Alexa Allmann (aallmann@alexandriatutors.org) or visit www.alexandriatutors.org to learn more or click HERE to register!

 

• ADDITIONAL UPCOMING PTA FUNDRAISING!

Dragons Love Burritos RESTAURANT NIGHTat Chipotle in Bradlee Center, Wednesday, October 1, 4-8pm

Join us at the new Bradlee Center Chipotle for burritos and bowls and community bonding! 25% of sales goes back to the PTA - we're looking forward to seeing you there - make sure you mention GMES! You can also order online for pickup using the Code 7KMLHM9 or show the attached flyer!

 

• PTA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Please consider volunteering with the PTA - it helps make your child's school experience better, it strengthens our community, and is a great way to connect with other families (especially if you are a new family or kindergarten parent!):

• George Mason PTA is looking for a Special Education Liaison to the Alexandria PTAC Special Education Committee. This committee brings together representatives from each PTA unit in the city to discuss the experiences of parents with children receiving Special Education and 504 services and advocate for city wide issues. For more information on this role, please visit: https://www.alexvaptac.org/special-education If you are interested in filling this role, please email georgemasonpta@gmail.com

  • One of our Special Education teachers, Ms. Walter, is looking for one or two volunteers to help make file folder materials for her classroom. Here is what will need to be done:

    • laminating using the large laminator

    • adding velcro to the folders

    • cutting symbols to use with the folders
      If you would like to volunteer, please reach out to Ms. Walter at madeline.walter@acps.k12.va.us

  • Party on the Patio Committee Chair(s)! - Our most important week of the year is Dragon Week 2026, which will take place in the Spring. Our online auction takes place throughout the week, and ends with Party on the Patio, our annual adults-only fundraiser that helps raise money for fieldtrips, assemblies, Walking Wednesdays, teacher appreciation, school supplies and whatever is needed to help make our school a great place to be for kids and teachers. We have a gracious host in the neighborhood willing to share their amazing yard for a change in location from last year. Now we need people to help plan the party! Contact georgemasonpta@gmail.com to find out how you can help!

 

• GMES MODERNIZATION UPDATE

 

From the ACPS Capital Improvement Team:

 

Hello George Mason Neighbors,

 

We're excited to share an update ahead of a major construction milestone. Demolition work at the George Mason site is set to begin soon. The project team expects to receive the partial release needed to install erosion and sediment controls within a week. Once those protections are in place, crews will mobilize on site, and within about two weeks, the first walls are expected to come down. 

 

This project has not deviated from the original schedule and is expected to be substantially completed in early July. To ensure the project remains on schedule, the team has advanced portions of the building review. This approach will allow construction to begin as soon as the full site plan approval is received. 

 

Regular schedule reviews and updates will continue throughout the project to ensure the community remains informed. Project updates will come from ACPS directly via construction updates to the SAT, CIP Newsletter and other ACPS communications. Questions about the project should be directed to ask@acps.k12.va.us. 

 

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

 

• NORTH RIDGE CANOPY TREE RESTORATION CAMPAIGN

Join the North Ridge canopy tree restoration program by buying an 8-10 foot native tree for $250. This program ends at the end of the month. Price includes planting, mulching, and staking. Help with selecting the right tree is available at no extra cost. This is an excellent deal for a canopy tree, and the program will work with you if there is ever a problem with your tree. We have had several Dragon Families take advantage of this program, and they can all vouch for how excellent it is! Please see the flyer attached with more information.

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• PTA REFLECTIONS ART COMPETITION 2025-2026

I Belong!

 

It’s that time again, when pre-K through grade 12 students nationwide create theme-based artwork for the Reflections Art Competition. Last year three George Mason students placed or received honorable mentions at the city-wide PTAC level – we hope this year you will be one of them! The 2025-2026 theme is:  I Belong!Share how you belong through dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, or visual arts. Students are divided into the following levels:  Primary (K-Grade 2), Intermediate (Grade 3-5), or Accessible Arts (students identifying as having a disability in all Grades). More information about the competition, including rules and guidelines, can be found online here. 

Contest entries are due by October 30.

 

Entering takes 5 minutes online here. Submissions should be submitted electronically. Entries must include:

    (1) Student and parent contact information,
    (2) Title of the artwork,
    (3) An artist statement to help judges understand your interpretation of the theme.

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Entries are evaluated for interpretation of the theme, creativity, and technique.

Questions? Email Polly at pollyhampton@gmail.com 

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• 2025-2026 GMES DIRECTORY FORM - PLEASE COMPLETE BY OCT. 3.

Hey Dragons! Want to stay in contact with school friends and families? Fill out this online form to have your contact information included in the 25/26 GMES Directory by October 3. This is arguably the most useful thing the PTA provides our families every year! 😉 Please see ParentSquare or your email for the link to complete the form.

 

• COMPLETE THE ANNUAL ACPS VERIFICATION PROCESS BY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Verifying the back-to-school forms online is made easy as families can complete the required forms through PowerSchool. Once you log in, click on "25-26 Back to School Forms" in the left column.

• • Information from the previous year remains in the system so, in some cases, all that is required is for families to review the forms for accuracy and make any updates, as needed.

  • Updating your student’s health information safeguards their well-being by keeping the school informed of any significant changes. 

All forms are due by Tue., Sept. 30, 2025. For further assistance, please contact your school or email ask@acps.k12.va.us​