March 20, 2019
 Virginia Run ES was designated as a favorite school from a local community member during a holiday drawing. The community member received a $1,000 check and Virginia Run was also presented a check for $1,000.
Book Fair
You’re invited to our Virginia Run Elementary Book Fair! Students can shop during their library class times and during open shopping times each day. Please make checks payable to Virginia Run ES (not Scholastic). Join us for Family Night on Thursday, March 18th 5-7 pm. Questions? Email our librarian at erin.siwert@fcps.edu. Hope to see you there!
Virginia Run Elementary Book Fair Hours:
Wednesday, March 20th 9:30 am - 3:00 pm Open for Shopping
Thursday March 18th – 21st 9:30 am - 3:00 pm Open for Shopping
Thursday Family Evening Hours: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Friday, March 22nd 9:30 am - Noon Open for Shopping (We close at noon to tear down/pack up the fair.)
Book Fair Volunteers
Join us for our Book Fair Family Night tomorrow - Thursday, March 21st 5:00- 7:00 pm! To make the evening run smoothly, our librarian needs volunteers. Please sign up here if you can help. We’d appreciate it!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AA9A62AA2FF2-virginia1
Rising Kindergarteners
If you have a rising kindergartener, please contact the school at 703-988-8900 (if you have not already) to have a registration packet mailed to you. Registration packets will be mailed out by the end of next week. Once you receive a packet, you may call the school to set up an appointment to register during school hours or attend the evening registration on March 28. In addition, please plan to attend the orientation with your child on April 5.
Kindergarten Registration Date:
Thursday, March 28 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Kindergarten Orientation Date:
Friday, April 5 2:00 – 3:30 pm
**Please be sure to bring your rising kindergartener with you to the orientation.
Read-A-Thon
Read-A-Thon ended on March 8th. The grand donation total was $5,770.10! That is AWESOME!!! We receive 80% of all donations, so the school will receive a check for $4,616.08. A huge thank you to all of our readers and to all the families who donated to this great fundraiser. Our book room will be filled with so many interesting and fun books!
Supporting Kids in a Digital World
(EVENT REMINDER)
Next Tuesday, March 26 @ 6:15 pm, instructional technology leaders from the Westfield pyramid will be hosting a special event @ Westfield HS on the importance of sharing responsibility for teaching our kids how to behave safely, ethically, and responsibly online. The evening will begin with a large-group presentation (including a student panel) and then breakout into a series of sessions aimed at building understanding around issues facing our kids (and parents) right now. Session topics will include:
- Fake News & Safe Web Surfing
- Managing Technology & Media Use In Your Home
- Digital Forensics / Avoiding Scams & Fraud
- Digital Balance & Well-Being
- FCPS Digital Tools for Students & Families
- Gaming / Using Reviews & Setting Limits
- Sexting (adults only / HS students may attend with parent/guardian)
Please RSVP via the following (non-binding) form so that we can gauge interest & space needed for the breakout sessions, as well as childcare: https://goo.gl/forms/bEg8qb06dmNwpB8A2
Momo Challenge
In Fairfax County schools, county agencies and families are working together to create an environment where children and youth can safely learn, work, and play. Similar to our message containing information about the 13 Reasons Why NETFLIX program and the Blue Whale Challenge, we are sending this communication to alert you to a recent rise in new games and social media challenges that encourage young people to participate in harmful behavior.
One example of this is a potentially harmful game called the “Momo Challenge" that has reportedly been posted on different social media platforms to include WhatsApp and assigns players a series of progressively more intense tasks, to include self-harm. It is important to note that the Momo Challenge is a hoax that has received a significant amount of media attention.
This hoax has been seen across the United States in recent months, targeting primarily elementary aged children. Vigilant parents and guardians in Fairfax County have also reported seeing information about the Momo Challenge or similar games on their children's phones and have alerted school authorities.
Please talk to your child about this type of internet hoax, and check his or her phone or other device for signs of an app or communications with anyone telling them to do specific tasks. This provides an excellent opportunity to remind your child of best practices for internet safety and digital citizenship:
- Remind your child information shared on social media is not always true and how quickly misinformation can create a panic online.
- Children should never engage in conversations with strangers online.
- Be aware of the sites and apps your children are using and know their usernames and passwords.
- Turn off suggested autoplay on videos to stop children from viewing content they have not selected, and you have not approved.
- If appropriate, tell your children that Momo is not real and will not hurt them.
- Encourage open dialogue with them around any concerns.
FCPS has additional resources available on this website: https://www.fcps.edu/node/32086. If you have concerns about your child, please contact your school counselor. Please be aware that a number of mental health resources are available, including Fairfax County Public School resources: School Counseling Services at 571-423- 4420, School Psychology Services at 571-423-4250, and School Social Work Services at 571-423-4300 and Fairfax County resources: Crisis Link Hotline at 703-527-4077, Merrifield Emergency Services 703-573-5679 (available 24/7) or Entry and Referral during business hours at 703-383-8500. The Fairfax County Police Department non-emergency number is 703-691-2131.
More information about the Momo Challenge and other internet challenges or hoaxes is available at these links:
Yearbooks
Yearbooks are on sale now! Order yours online at ybpay.lifetouch.com. Our school code is 5662219. Paper order forms were sent home via Wednesday envelopes.
Please send any photos for the yearbook to Kelly Long at kalong928@yahoo.com.
Calendar
March 18 – March 22 – Book Fair
March 21 – Book Fair Family Night, 5:00 pm, Library
March 26 – PTA Spirit Night, Chipotle Chantilly, 5:00-9:00 pm
March 26 – Supporting Kids in a Digital World, Westfield HS, 6:15 pm
March 28 – Kindergarten Registration, 4:30 – 6:00 pm
March 29 – Spring Picture Day
April 5 – Student Holiday – NO SCHOOL
April 5 – Kindergarten Orientation, 2:00 pm
April 5 – PTA Spirit Night, Chuck E. Cheese Herndon, 3:00 – 9:00 pm
April 9 – Spirit Night (6th Grade Celebration), Foster’s Grille, 4:00 – 9:00 pm
April 9 – PTA Meeting, 7:00 pm, Library
April 11 – 3rd Grade Recorder Concert, 9:45 am
April 15 – April 19 – Spring Break – NO SCHOOL
April 24 – Level IV AAP Center Orientation (Bull Run ES), 6:30 pm
April 25 – 3rd Grade Field Trip – Colvin Run Mill
April 25 – Strings Concert, 7:00 pm, Gym
April 26 – Viking Dash, 6:00 pm
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