|
For a translated version of this newsletter, please click HERE. Next click on the language icon in the upper left corner to choose your preferred language.
Para obtener una versión traducida de este mensaje, haga clic AQUÍ. Luego, haga clic en el icono IDIOMA en la esquina superior izquierda para elegir su idioma preferido.
 |
|
Monday, Sept. 5 is a Labor Day holiday for all FCPS employees and students. We hope everyone has taken 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. |
Important Dates
|
September 5: Holiday (Labor Day Break) - No School
September 8: PTA Meeting - Library (4:30-5:30pm)
September 12: BRES Spirit Day... wear Red, White and Blue
September 16: BRES Back to School Bash on the blacktop/playground (6:00-8:00pm)
September 26: Student Holiday - Rosh Hashanah (Professional Workday)
October 5: Holiday (Yom Kippur) - No School
October 10: Student Holiday - Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Professional Workday)
October 24: Holiday (Diwali) - No School
October 28: End of First Quarter - 2-hour Early Release
|
*The full FCPS 2022-2023 calendar can be accessed here.
Join the Bull Run ES Strings or Band
|
Calling all students in 4th, 5th and 6th Grade!
Strings is available to students in grades 4-6.
Band is available to students in grades 5-6.
Deadline to register is Monday, September 5.
For more information and to register click the link below:
STRINGS REGISTRATION
BAND REGISTRATION
|
|
 |
Community Conversations with Dr. Reid
|
Please save the date for a very special event! Dr. Michelle Reid, FCPS superintendent, will host a Community Conversation at Westfield HS on September 20 and Centreville HS on October 18, 6:30-7:30 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.
To register, please visit the following links: Westfield HS and Centreville HS.
Please contact Kathy Ryan, krryan@fcps.edu, or Christie Scott, cascott@fcps.edu, with questions.
|
|
 |
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
 |
|
The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit FCPS’ Attendance web page for tips and strategies. |
On September 11 we remember and honor the victims, families, heroes, and survivors, and the courage and determination of our nation's first responders. #NeverForget
On September 12 we ask all Bull Run Elementary community members to wear red, white and blue. #1BRESbulls #weareBRES
How to Receive FCPS Messages in Other Languages
You may wish to read FCPS messages in a language other than English. There are several ways you can receive or view our communications in a different language.
FCPS This Week is distributed in other languages to parents/guardians who have filled out the Home Language Survey form and selected a language supported by FCPS as their preferred language for communication. Home Language Survey forms are available in the following languages: Amharic | Arabic (العربية) | Chinese (中文) | Farsi (فارسی) | Korean (한국어) | Spanish (español) | Urdu (اردو) | Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt).
Learn more about other communications that are translated.
Dismissal and Kiss & Ride Procedure Reminder
Your child's safety is very important as we navigate our instructional day. To assist in our end-of-the day routines, we would like to remind our Bull Run Elementary families of the following procedures that are in place ensuring every student, family and staff member exit our campus safely.
Our office staff is directed to follow the procedures below.
Kiss & Ride:
- Families must stay in the car and utilize our Kiss & Ride route when dropping off and picking up.
- To ensure safety for every BRES community member, we ask you not park in our lot to drop off or pick up your child unless it is after 9:15 a.m. (arrival) or before 3:30 p.m. (dismissal).
- If you need a Kiss & Ride number, contact mmobarowski@fcps.edu
Early Dismissal:
- If a family needs to check out a student early from school, arrive at school before 3:30 p.m. This will ensure ample time for BRES staff to locate your child and you exit safely.
- If you arrive after 3:30 p.m., we ask you wait in your vehicle in our Kiss & Ride line and your child will be dismissed at our scheduled time.
Change in Student's Transportation Home:
- Notify the office of any modifications to your child's dismissal plans by 3:30 p.m.
- We may not be able to honor requests made after 3:30 p.m.
Bull Run Elementary thanks our families in advance for ensuring our students, families and staff stay safe when entering and exiting school.
 Come and get to know your Bull Run Community. Enjoy free admission, Kona Ice and other food for sale, games, prizes, PTA info and spirit wear!
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 6th-8th and 12th-14th. Visit the testing website for information on locations and how to register for an appointment.
|
|
 |
Anonymous Tip Line Puts Safety First
If you or your child have concerns or information relating to feeling unsafe in any way at school, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security has a safety tip line that you can access anonymously online, by text (888-777; Keyword TIP FCPS), or by phone (571-423-2020).
If your tip is an emergency and immediate assistance is necessary, please dial 911.
Students, staff, and community members should report school safety issues such as threats, unsafe or dangerous situations, illegal drug activity, theft, gang activity, the existence of weapons, vandalism, and concerns about student wellness. Tip line users may identify themselves or remain anonymous. Concerns that do not impact the safety of our schools—concerns or information about programs, regulations, or policies—can be sent to the FCPS ombudsman online, at 571-423-4014, or ombudsman@fcps.edu.
|
 |
|
Throughout the school year we will be exploring, identifying and implementing Portrait of a Graduate (POG) skills: Communicator, Collaborator, Ethical and Global Citizen, Critical and Creative Thinker, Goal-Directed and Resilient Individual.
POG prioritizes the development of skills that will empower students to be productive citizens of a global community and successful in the workforce of the future.
|
Families in the School (Volunteer and Lunch)
We are excited to welcome you back in to the building this year. If you would like to have lunch with your child you are more than welcome to do so beginning September 26. This will ensure that our students have practiced and mastered all cafeteria expectations and routines.
You will also have the opportunity to volunteer in your child's classroom this year. If you are interested, please reach out to your child's teacher.
Gun Safety and Safe Gun Storage
Providing students and staff with a safe educational environment remains our top priority. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact schools and communities across our nation.
As you may be aware, lessons on gun safety are already built into our curriculum; however, it is critical that all parents and guardians talk to their children about the importance of gun safety and safe gun storage in your homes, and any homes that your children may visit.
Our website has resources for parents about gun safety as well as detailed information about FCPS safety and security practices in our buildings.
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.
Resources:
Student Rights & Responsibility Booklet
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, we ask parents to 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.
Once you log on, you will see the following message:
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 us if you are having difficulty accessing the booklet.
 Parental Consent Form for Digital Resources
Some of the digital resources used at BRES require parental consent. Please visit our digital resources page to view information on how to provide your consent for students to use some of the available resources. Not all resources will be used by every student.
Action: Please visit this webpage, and click on the link to provide consent. Thank you for reviewing this information!
FCPS CARES Program
Recognizing BRES employees who go above and beyond
Do you want to celebrate a BRES employee for being amazing! We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of Bull Run Elementary staff members.
|
|
 |
News from our PTA
Join PTA **Joining the PTA does not commit you to volunteering, it helps support our school.
Don't Miss Another Bull Run PTA Event! Download our calendar!
To access the BRES Events calendar on Android devices:
- First, use a laptop computer and click here
- You will be prompted to Add the BRES Events calendar. Select Add.
- You should now be able to see the calendar in your Android device.
To access the BRES Events calendar on iPhone:
- Using your iPhone click here.
- You will be prompted to subscribe to the BRES Events calendar.
- You should now be able to see the calendar on your iPhone
Families Can Receive Text Messages from FCPS for Emergencies and Essential Information
Make sure your cell phone numbers are listed in the parent/guardian contact information section on the emergency care information form for each of your children. Parents and guardians can view and update emergency contact information online using weCare@school.
Text messages will be sent in the event of emergencies, delays or school closings, if buses are running more than 30 minutes late, if your student missed the morning attendance deadline, and for other important reminders.
Standard message and data charges may apply for text messages depending on your cell phone service plan. More about text messages is available online.
 You may have heard that the Fairfax County School Board approved a Trust Policy that solidifies our commitment to foster a caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families.
This policy aligns with Fairfax County’s Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy to ensure that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials.
The school division is already performing much of the work referenced in the Trust Policy. The policy, along with the upcoming regulation, will serve to solidify our efforts, so all FCPS staff, students, and families have a common understanding of the policy.
Every FCPS employee plays an important role in carrying out the Trust Policy and will demonstrate cultural responsiveness in supporting families, students, and other staff by protecting the privacy of personally identifiable information (PII) of students and families. Employees will follow a clear, standardized process for requesting, accessing, or disclosing prohibited personal information as outlined in FCPS Regulations 2202 and 4220.
Additional information is available in multiple languages on FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage. Please email FCPS’ Office of Professional Learning and Equity, OPLFE@fcps.edu, with questions about the policy.
Welcome to Here Comes the Bus! app
Know when your bus is approaching your stop. Here Comes the Bus® app is a school bus tracking app that can simplify morning and afternoon routines for parents and students by giving them real-time bus location and text or email notification alerts, helping them get to the bus stop on time. Here Comes the Bus® utilizes our GPS data and an easy-to-use customizable map that works on one or multiple devices, such as a tablet or smartphone.
How to Get Started
Using the app is EASY! You will need the FCPS school district code 28982 and a Student Information System (SIS) Parent Account. Contact Bull Run Elementary if you do not have an SIS Parent Account. Please be sure to follow the detailed instructions below.
From a smartphone or tablet, download (for free) the Here Comes the Bus® app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Open the app. Enter your email address associated with your SIS Parent Account. Do Not Use the Student Login or Sign Up links.
- Enter FCPS school district code 28982.
- Enter your password associated with your SIS Parent Account.
- Click 'Login', just below the password field.
- Next, you will be prompted to validate your account. Please click the Validation Button (the app will close). Next, log on to your email account associated with your SIS Parent Account.
- Please open the validation email from Synovia and click the validate account link. (If you do not receive an email, check the junk/spam folder) A browser window will open. Please close the browser window and return to the Here Comes the Bus® app.
- Repeat the previous login steps (Steps 1-4).
- Enter the name of your device.
- Close and log back onto the Here Comes the Bus® app.
- Under 'Students', you should see a list of your student(s) names.
- Confirm the information and you are ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus®.
Once signed in, you can customize or edit features, including how the app will communicate with you, and the size and location of the notification radius around your child's bus stop.
|
My School Bucks for Lunch Money
 |
|
Sign up for a MySchoolBucks account to add money to your student's account to pay for school meals, pay for field trips and to pay for yearbooks.
Go to www.myschoolbucks.com to sign up and add funds to your student's account today.
|
Free and Reduced-Price Meal (FRM) Applications
Apply now!
Please note that breakfast will not be free for all students this year, and to receive free or reduced price meals, you must complete the application.
- Online applications are available and can be translated to a variety of languages.
- We will have computers available, along with support from our family liaisons, at Open House/Back-to-School Night on August 18th.
- Approved FRM eligibility letters may also be used to provide additional benefits for you and your family.
- Please know that we will not share your data or personal information with anyone else. See FCPS’ Trust Policy.
Watch your email and our website for more information. Learn more about the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program online.
|
Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity
FCPS has tools to help parents and guardians know more about their child’s 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 website.
FCPS in the News
At One Fairfax County School, A Focus On Social And Emotional Learning In The Second Year Back (Forestville Elementary School; DCist, August 26)
Marshall High School Cheerleading and Dance are represented as our Hometown Team during our FOX 5 Zip Trip to Tysons (August 27)
Student Success: Chantilly High Seniors Seek Patent for Automatic Walker Designed to Help Parkinson's Patients (August 29)
DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers
Parent Resource Center
Do you know about FCPS's Parent Resource Center (PRC)? The PRC offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families, educators, and community members. It provides access to information and resources to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.
- Free Consultations/Resources
- Free Webinars
- Free Lending Library
- FCPS Tutor List
Want more information on all that the PRC offers? Click below to be connected!
Flyer: English, Spanish, Korean, Arabic, Farsi, Urdu
BRES Bulls' Mission
Bull Run Elementary School inspires and empowers every student to meet high academic standards, lead healthy, ethical lives, and be responsible and innovative global citizens.
BRES Bulls' Vision
Being the Ultimate Learner for Life is EPIC! (Explore, Problem Solve, Inquire, Create)
 #1BRESbulls #weareBRES #chargerBRES
|
