March 13-17: BRES Scholastics Book Fair

March 14: Pi Day

March 14: BRES Scholastics Book Fair, 4:30-7pm

March 17: BRES Spirit Day - Wear neon colors or BRES School Colors (Blue and White)

March 17: BRES Bulls vs. CES Eagles (volleyball), 5:30-8:00pm, CVHS

March 22 and 23: Ramadan (begins sunset 3/22 and continues with daily fast and nightly prayer until 4/21)

March 27: Individual Spring Pictures

April 3-7: Holiday (Spring Break)

April 5: Passover (begins sundown 4/5 – sundown 4/13)

April 6: Theravada New Year

One of the Portrait of a Graduate attributes we focus on is being a communicator. It is important for students to develop as communicators, so that they can share their thoughts, feelings, ideas, experiences, and perspectives with others. This will help other peers and adults to understand them, and help them be able to understand others. Think of all the ways you, as an adult, communicate with people at home, work, or in the community.  

What are some of the characteristics of a strong communicator? 

Communicators:

• Read to learn
• Listen to understand
• Speak to inform, influence, motivate, or entertain others
• Write for various purposes to share their ideas
• Use technology to explore and exchange ideas

Consider sharing how you use these skills in your life as an adult with your student.  Be specific and explain how these skills help you. This will help your child understand that these aren’t just skills in school for science, social studies, language arts and math, but instead are durable skills that all people use throughout life.  We’re excited to see how your child builds their understanding of how they are communicating everyday!

We're looking forward to welcoming our new kindergarten students in the 2023-24 school year! Registration for new kindergartners is now open!

WHO: Parents or guardians of rising kindergartners—children who will be five years old on or before September 30, 2023.   

WHAT: Register your child for the 2023-24 school year in an easy, two-step process.       

WHEN: Now!

WHY: Completing registration early will help us be ready to welcome your new kindergartner and make sure your child is eligible for summer enrichment activities. 

HOW: Much of the registration process, including the uploading of documents needed for registration, can be completed online. Most document attachments (PDF, JPG, DOC, PNG, etc.) are compatible. The file-size limit is 2 MB. 

WHERE: Registration is on the FCPS or Bull Run Elementary website. Go to 
https://bullrunes.fcps.edu/student-services/student-registration

https://www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration

Opioid Awareness Meeting: The Dangers of Fentanyl in Our Community

Substance abuse and related behavioral health problems can have a major impact on students, families, and communities. These impacts have become even more serious because of the increasing prevalence of fentanyl in drugs and other substances. Fentanyl is an incredibly powerful and dangerous opioid. Small amounts of fentanyl can easily lead to life-threatening overdoses. In 2021, fentanyl was identified in 77.14% of U.S. adolescent overdose deaths. There is nothing more important to us than the safety and wellbeing of our students, families, and communities. Fairfax Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to join her for a community meeting on opioid awareness, Monday, March 13, 6:30-8 p.m., at Fairfax High School. 

Dr. Reid will be joined by Chief Kevin Davis of the Fairfax County Police Department, in welcoming the community to engage in this important conversation. Major Thea Pirnat of the Fairfax County Organized Crime and Intelligence Bureau will share information about drug trends in Fairfax County.

The Overdose Prevention Initiative: Outreach on Invisible Dangers, led by the United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Virginia in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, will present testimonials from individuals affected by the opioid epidemic, medical experts, and law enforcement representatives.  

Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions about how Fairfax County agencies are working together to address these opioid issues in our community. Watch the video and learn more on our website. Register for the March 13 event.

Medicaid Policy Changes

A change in federal Medicaid policy could impact the health care coverage of millions of students. In order to avoid gaps in coverage, families need to know:

• Families, especially those who have moved residences during the pandemic, should contact their state Medicaid offices to ensure their contact information is up to date.
• Families should watch their mail for letters about Medicaid and the state Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, status. 
• Recipients must submit any renewal forms they receive to maintain coverage, which states could mail at any point between March 2023 and February 2024.
• Families who no longer qualify for Medicaid after the review may qualify for coverage through their state’s health insurance exchange.

Learn more in this EducationWeek article. 

It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Fairfax County public schools typically conduct kindergarten registration events—including orientation—in the Spring during March or April. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps schools prepare and ensure they have the teachers and resources on hand that they need on the first day of school. 

After determining which school their child will attend, families should prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms, details can be found on the FCPS kindergarten registration webpage. FCPS offers support and resources for all families to help with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For support in other languages, visit the kindergarten registration webpage.

Review Draft Goals for FCPS' New Strategic Plan

Please take a moment to share your perspectives on the draft work-to-date related to the development of FCPS’ new Strategic Plan. Your input is important to this work and will help ensure a thriving future for each and every FCPS student.

FCPS emailed the survey link to all parents and caregivers on Monday, March 6. Please check your email, if you haven't had a chance to take the survey yet. If you are a community member who does not have a student enrolled in FCPS, please use this link to participate. 

The survey is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Korean, Chinese, Urdu, and Vietnamese. All responses are anonymous and confidential. Information from the survey will be shared with and analyzed by Performance Fact, Inc. (PFI), the company FCPS hired to help create our Strategic Plan. Visit our Strategic Planning webpage and watch this video for more details.