Welcome to the Marshall PTSA Blast
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The Marshall PTSA GCM Blast is a weekly email with the latest info on what's happening of interest to Parents.  

If you've got something you want to share in the Blast, send it via email to: 
 
Please no attachments; put exactly what you want the article to say in the body of the email along with a headline and sub-headline. The deadline for submissions is Sunday evening.
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Quick Links...
Tues & Wed This Week - Treat the Teachers!

GCM Parents, 

The PTSA Hospitality Committee needs your help! Please consider bringing snacks to the school for our teachers and admin/staff. Click on the SignUpGenius to donate and drop off at the GCM Front Office on October 13-14. About 30-40 teachers and staff visit the school each day and we'd love to show them a little appreciation!

Click on this link to donate:

Purchase Field of Honor Flags

Go to www.Pay4schoolstuff.com to purchase your flags.  Email [email protected] with questions.
Deadline for Free & Reduced Price Meals

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If you submitted an application for Free or Reduced-Price Meals last school year for your child(ren), please remember to submit a new application for this school year. The current eligibility status will expire on October 20, 2020
Apply for free and reduced-price meals by visiting www.MySchoolApps.com. Eligibility may also provide your child(ren) other important benefits. Be sure your child(ren) are approved for the 20-21 school year.  

The online application is available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, Tagalog, French, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean. Paper applications are available to complete and submit in English upon request at food distribution sites. 
SAT/ACT Test Prep









Discounted NOVA Classes for Seniors

This fall, Northern Virginia Community College(NOVA) will offer select college courses at a third of the cost to FCPS high school seniors. Courses are eight weeks in length and will begin October 20, 2020. Students must meet placement requirements, and understand there may be textbooks or other material fees associated with courses. Since these classes are all online, classes will not meet in real time. Students will need access to a computer and the Internet. These classes are for college credit only, students will not receive high school credit. The online courses have been selected because they fulfill not only NOVA degree requirements but also transfer to most colleges and universities.

Details about the Online Early College Program can be found HERE.

Qualifications
  • Courses are available to current seniors.
  • Students must meet Dual Enrollment testing requirements in both Math and English or have a 3.0 GPA
  • Students must provide a copy of their unofficial high school transcript. Test scores are required for students with a GPA less than a 3.0. Counselors may need to provide an unofficial transcript to students. Upon request, counselors may email the student or parent an unofficial pdf copy of the student's transcript, provided the counselor can confirm both the request is received by and the response is sent to the appropriate recipient. This can be achieved by requiring that students request a copy of their unofficial transcript from their fcpsschools.net email account or, in the case of a parent request, confirming the parent email matches the parent email recorded for that student in SIS. An "Unofficial" watermark should be included on any unofficial transcript provided to students or parents. 
  • Students must apply to NOVA. Current dual enrollment students do not need to reapply to NOVA.
Important Dates:
  • Completed applications are due by October 9, 2020 at 5:00 pm.
  • Courses will begin October 20, 2020 and end December 14, 2020. 
  • Students may drop the course on or before October 28, 2020. Dropped courses will not show up on a student's college transcript. Students will be charged tuition and fees if withdrawn after this date. 
  • Students may withdraw from the course on or before November 22, 2020. Withdrawn courses are part of a student's college transcript. Students are responsible for tuition and fees even if they withdraw from the class. 
Additional Information:
  • Online Early College classes are for college credit only, students will not receive high school credit.
  • Students can only take 1 class
  • Textbook and other course material purchases may be required 
  • All classes will be taught online. Students will need their myNOVA credentials to access the class. Access to a computer and the internet are required.
  • Tuition- $185.50
For questions, please contact Shelli Farquharson, Career Experience Specialist, at [email protected].
Special Ed & Parenting Events in the Community

October marks the beginning of Learning Disability Awareness Month. In the United States, 1 in 5 people have a learning disability, such as dyslexia and ADHD. If your child has a disability, please reach out and get help and information from people who have experience in helping our kids.

How Stress and Trauma Affect ADHD in Children of All Colors - and How to Heal the Wounds Thu. Oct. 15, 1-2 pm, Webinar with Replay Link Learn about the similarity in symptoms of trauma and ADHD, how the two can interact, the role of racial trauma, and resources for healing. Register:  https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/adhd-and-trauma/ 

Dyslexic Edge 2020: Pathways to STEM Excellence $35 Sat. Oct 17, 9 am-2 pm, Speakers, a student panel, and a parent panel, will focus on on dyslexia, perseverance, and distance learning with assistive technology.  Register:  https://www.thedyslexicedge.org/agenda 


Parenting ADHD Summit Mon. Oct. 19 to Fri. Oct. 23, 36 hour access is free; forever access $87. Hear 30 ADHD experts on decoding and improving behavior, addressing common challenges, nutrition, social struggles, and creating room for joy day-to-day. Register:https://thebehaviorrevolution.com/parenting-summits/parenting-adhd-summit-2020-conference-experts/


The FCPS Parent Resource Center Library is open on a pick up basis. The library has over 7000 resources on intellectual and learning disabilities. The staff is knowledgeable and can help you find what you are looking for. Click HERE to go to the library site.


Navigating the Teen & Tween Years - 7 week course, Tues. Oct. 13 to Dec. 1, 5-7 pm, Via Zoom. Join other parents of 10-16 year olds to address how to set routines, manage conflict and navigate exposure to drugs and tobacco. Register: Kristy Ferrufino 703-672-1410 or email [email protected]                          
Statesmen Shout Out

Congratulations to George C. Marshall High School for being recognized by ESPN as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School for efforts to include students with disabilities!!  We are one of only 36 schools in the country and the ONLY one in Virginia! Click HERE to see the announcement on ESPN.  Way to go, Statesmen!!
Smiles from our Senior Class





Last week the Class of 2021 decorated their cars and came to the school to pick up (last year's) t-shirts, say hi to teachers and staff, and enjoy an ice cream treat!  The PTSA and GCM staff are committed to celebrating our senior class this year in any way we can. Although we are not physically together in school right now, we are always Statesmen Strong!
News for the PTSA Blast

If you have news or information you'd like to share with the Marshall community, please email [email protected] with the information. We especially love good news for our Statesmen Shout Out section! Tell us about the great things our Statesmen are doing in our community or elsewhere!  
Emergency Contact Numbers

  • CrisisLink Regional Hotline:  703-527-4077
  • CrisisText:  Text NEEDHELP to 85511
  • Mobile Crisis Unit:  1-844-627-4747
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:  1-800-273-TALK or 1800-SUICIDE
  • Dominion Hospital Emergency:  703-536-2000
  • Merrifield Center Emergency:  703-573-5679; TTY dial 711
  • INOVA Emergency:  703-289-7560
  • Life Threatening:  911
  • Upcoming Events
    Oct 12 - Indigenous Persons Day - School Holiday
    Oct 21 - PTSA Meeting with "The Study Pro"
    Oct 26 - Academic Letter distribution for Juniors & Seniors
    Oct 29 - PSAT for Juniors
    Oct 30 - End of First Quarter
    Nov 2-3 - Student Holidays