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Kristen Rucinski - Principal Ebony Opie - Assistant Principal
Gunston Gazette
Labor Day Long Weekend Ahead!
Friday, September 2 & Monday, September 5
Friday, September 2 and Monday, September 5 are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar
Principals' Message
Dear Families,
Thank you for an amazing first two weeks of school! It was so great to see all of our eagles return with their smiling faces and enthusiasm for learning. We look forward to seeing our parents at our Back to School Night on September 13th. We will also be sharing information about upcoming Parent Coffees with the principals. We have made many important connections and started important conversations. We hope that our partnership continues to grow throughout the year ahead. Stay tuned for more information about our community event we are planning for early October.
Please be sure to send in your emergency care and health forms for your student. If you have any specific concerns, please share directly with their teacher as well. Please remember to discuss with your child if you want them buying breakfast and/or lunch each day as it is no longer free for all students this year.
We hope you enjoy time together over this holiday weekend. Of course, your child will remember these moments best; that board game you played Saturday night, hanging out at the park throwing the ball around, roller-skating, swimming, or watching a movie. The moments we spend with our loved ones are the most precious.
Sincerely,
Ms. Rucinski and Mrs. Opie
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for all of us. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Here are some helpful tips for families to use to support their students before and after school lockdown drills.
Working together, we create a safe, secure environment for students to learn and grow in our schools.
ParentVUE Account for SIS
The Student Information System (SIS) supports all aspects of a student’s educational experience and includes demographic data and information related to scheduling, attendance, discipline, health, grades, test results, and academic programs. SIS is a secure, web-based system accessible by staff, students, and parents.
Having trouble with your account? Need activation information to set it up? Please visit https://www.fcps.edu/resources/technology/student-information-system-sis-fcps
2022-23 Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights
Fairfax County Public Schools wants all parents to understand its policies regarding surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights.
In its Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms (Annual Notice), FCPS provides explanations of the rights listed above as well as forms that may be used to exercise opt-out choices.
Two versions of the Annual Notice are available—a grades K-8 version and a grades 9-12 version. Parents with children at different grade levels should read each applicable version of the Annual Notice because the notices and opt-out rights vary depending on the student’s grade level.
Get more information and view the 2022-23 Opt-Out Booklets.
Parent Report Available to Monitor Child’s Online Activity (Lightspeed)
FCPS has tools to help parents and guardians know more about their child’s online activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided by Lightspeed, our internet content filtering service, at no cost to families.
You may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. If you want more detailed information, sign up for the Internet Use Parent portal and log-in anytime to see more detail about your child’s browsing and “pause” access to the internet during non-school hours.
Find out more and sign up for these services on our Lightspeed Parent Report Request website.
ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (AAP) PARENT INFORMATION SESSION
A parent information session will be held virtually on Thursday, September 29, 2022 from 6pm-7pm. An overview of the levels of AAP services and the identification & screening for Level IV services will be shared. Please visit AAP Parent Information Meeting Link to register for the Zoom session. A recording of the presentation will be made available for parents unable to attend the virtual session.
For recent updates regarding testing and due dates, please visit: AAP Level IV Screening for 2022-23 school year. Copies of Level IV parent referral form can be found at: AAP FORMS
Please note for families (grades 3-6) new to FCPS boundaries as of January 1, 2022, the Fall 2022 parent referral due date is October 15, 2022.
For current FCPS families in grades 2-6, the parent referral due date is December 15, 2022.
Any questions? Please contact Kevin Fahy, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher at kjfahy@fcps.edu.
Breakfast and Lunch for 2022-23
Parents can set up an account through MySchoolBucks to purchase lunch or breakfast for your child(ren) during the school year. Breakfast is $1.75, at elementary school, lunch is $3.35. Milk (sold separately) is $0.60.
Students wishing to purchase a second entree may do so for an additional cost of $2.75
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families will need to apply for Free and Reduced-price meals, which they have not had to do since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.
Please know that we will not share your data or personal information with anyone else. See FCPS’ Trust Policy.
Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R) Family Signature September 30th
FCPS’ updated Student Rights & Responsibility booklet is now available online and in the ParentVue section of the Student Information System (SIS). The SR&R booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Each year, parents/guardians must review, sign, and return the SR&R to their child’s school. In ParentVue, you may now download and digitally sign the SR&R. Every parent/guardian with a ParentVUE account will see the SR&R upon login to ParentVUE until the SR&R acknowledgement has been completed.
Your name in the digital signature box must match the parent/guardian’s first and last name in SIS exactly before the signature will be accepted.
Please take a moment to log into ParentVue in your child’s SIS account to access the SR&R. Signatures are due by September 30, 2022.
Please contact the school office if you are having difficulty accessing the booklet.
Meet your Family Liaison: Kathryn Garcia
I am a Colorado Native, born and raised, turned Air Force wife. I am a mother of 4 children: Senior, Sophomore, 7th grader and 5th grader. I have a Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in Elementary Education . I enjoy being outdoors, food (all kinds), cheering for my kids, and most of all spending time with my family.
I am so excited to be part of the Gunston Elementary School family. I love that I have the opportunity to work with children, their families and the community! Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if you would just like to introduce yourself!
I look forward to meeting you either in person or via phone call. You can find me at Gunston or reach me by email: mkgarcia@fcps.edu or by calling the office at 703-541-3600.
We are so grateful to be back to a better normal this school year. A goal of mine as your family liaison this year it to build a network of people and businesses in our community to partner in making Gunston an optimal learning environment.
If you are a business owner or work for a business that would be willing to sponsor one of our monthly parent coffees, please reach out to me I would love to partner with you. We would love both areas of expertise to be shared with our families and/or buying coffee and donuts for those who attend our meetings.
Another request I have, if you are out shopping this weekend, have extra supplies at your home or business, or feel the desire to pick up a gift card to be used for school supplies we are in need of several items. Here are the specific needs we have for school supplies. We use these supplies as part of our Avid curriculum, it is a system that teaches our students organizational skills that promote student success both in and out of the classroom.
- 3 inch binders (any color)
- Plastic 2 pocket folders with 3 hole punch: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and black.
Thank you all for your support. Have a wonderful holiday weekend.
Tutoring Services Update
FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, 1-to-1, online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families during the 22-23 SY. Student participation is optional and parents/guardians can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Detailed information and FAQs are available on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services website.
Students will continue to access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided in the following instructional videos:
Buses and Delays
Please be aware that all of us are getting used to new routines at the start of the school year. Thank you for your patience as those routines are established.
If a student’s bus is delayed, parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. E-Notify (School Messenger) email messages will also be sent to announce significant bus delays.
Contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2150 with questions. For any concerns after hours (after 5:30 p.m.), contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
Community Conversations with the New Superintendent Coming to Hayfield and Edison Next Month!
Please save the date for two very special events! Dr. Michelle Reid, FCPS superintendent, will host a Community Conversation at both Hayfield Secondary School and Edison High School in September.
The Hayfield session will be held on Monday, September 12th, and the Edison session will be held on Wednesday, September 14th. The time for both will be 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
This event will be a unique opportunity to help Dr. Reid get to know our school community and learn more about her vision for our district. Language interpretation will be provided, as available, as well as child care and light refreshments.
Register to attend the Hayfield Community Conversation here.
Register to attend the Edison Community Conversation here.
Family Life Education Instructional Program Information
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) provides a comprehensive, sequential Family Life Education (FLE) program for students in grades kindergarten through grade twelve. Instruction is seen as a partnership among parents and guardians, the school, and the community in supporting the learning essential to the development of strong families, positive relationships, and a healthy community.
Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of all or part of the Family Life Education program. Students who are opted out are provided with age-appropriate, nonpunitive alternative health instruction, and every effort is made to foster respect for family choices. If you wish to opt your child out of all or part of FLE for this school year, opt out forms will be included in your child’s back-to-school/orientation packets and are available online for Elementary (K-6). Please fill in the opt-out form and return it to your child’s school prior to Family Life Education instruction.
Detailed grade-level program descriptions are available online at Elementary (K-6). FLE grade level-specific lessons and media that FCPS has streaming rights for are available for parents online in Schoology. Parents/guardians login to Schoology using the same username and password as their Student Information System (SIS) Parent account. Grade level-specific lessons are also available at the City of Fairfax Regional Library (this location does not have media). Grade level-specific lessons and media that is not streamed online are available for review at your child’s school library. Due to copyright permissions, we are unable to stream all media online.
Program questions may be addressed at your child’s school or by contacting Instructional Services at 571-423-4550 or fle@fcps.edu.
COVID Diagnostic Testing
COVID-19 diagnostic testing is available at no cost for all currently enrolled FCPS students on select dates throughout the year when transmission may be highest. Diagnostic testing is provided at designated times and locations for those who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
Testing will be available September 6-8 and 12-14. Visit the testing website for information on locations and how to register for an appointment.
Understanding the Dangers of Opioid Use
As we begin the 2022-23 school year, public schools nationwide face a growing student wellness crisis. Our students' wellness challenges impact their ability to perform at their best in the classroom and may lead to other destructive behaviors.
In Northern Virginia, the opioid epidemic continues to impact communities including young adults, and sometimes school-age children. Tragically, this can lead to devastating outcomes. There are three things you can do now, to support student wellness and increase understanding of the dangers of opioids and fentanyl:
- Talk with children and loved ones in your life about the dangers of drug use, especially opioids. For more information, tips on how to recognize and prevent substance abuse, and available support services, watch this webinar.
- Safely store and dispose of medications to prevent drug misuse.
- Sign up for a Virtual REVIVE! training class to learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose and administer naloxone nasal spray to reverse an opioid overdose.
Learn more about the dangers of opioids and available resources on our website. Visit the Student Safety and Wellness webpage for more information about a variety of topics related to student wellbeing.
FCPS Parent Information Lines
Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.
Families, We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources ASAP!
Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your permission before they can be used. These resources have been investigated by FCPS and meet federal guidelines. Our teachers would love to get started as soon as possible. Please find our school’s list of the resources and a link to provide digital consent on our website. You will need to know your child’s Student ID and your enrolling email address.
FCPS Cares!
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Gunston ES or any FCPS employee.
Quick Links
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PTA News & Announcements |
PTA meeting - September 8 @ 6:00 p.m.
Our first PTA meeting of the school year will be held in the Gunston cafeteria. We will also share a zoom link for those who would like to participate but can’t make the meeting in person.
Join the PTA
Membership for the PTA is now open! Visit our website or stop by the PTA table at any upcoming school event to fill out a form and provide your $10 to join right away. The PTA is a great way to stay involved with our school community. We look forward to a fun filled year and hope you’ll help us make it a success!!
Sign up for the PTA website
PTA is transitioning to a different website to facilitate easier communications and volunteer sign ups. Make sure to visit our website and sign up to stay up to date on upcoming meeting and event dates and announcements. Members will automatically be signed up for the website but will need to create an account, so make sure to accept the email invitation to join!
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