The BULLS Bulletin UPDATES (June 5-11)

June 5: Spring Band Concert, BRES Gymnasium, 7-8 pm

June 16: 6th Grade Promotional Ceremony, BRES Gymnasium, 9:45 am

June 16: Last Day of School-Early Release @ 2 pm

June 19: Juneteenth, Holiday (all personnel)

June 20: Teacher Workday

June 21: Teacher Workday

End of Year Laptop Collection

Bull Run ES Tech Team is preparing to collect laptops and chargers from students in grades K-6.

Students not participating in FCPS summer programming:

• laptops, mifis (if checked out) and chargers must be brought back to school by the Tuesday, June 6 and not taken from the building

Students participating in FCPS summer programming:

• laptops (& mifi if applicable) will be collected at the end of the FCPS Summer Program (ESY, SOAR, YS)

Student Testing Results Coming Soon

Starting in late May, caregivers will receive reports for assessments their students completed this spring. Not sure what assessments your student took this year? A list of tests by grade level is available. Scores will be delivered in SIS ParentVUE, by mail, or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines. 

Some families will also receive a Virginia’s Visualization and Analytics Solution (VVAAS) Student Assessment Summary report with historical Standards of Learning (SOL) test results from 2015-2022. 

Go online or contact your student's school for additional information about student assessments.

End-of-Year Medication Pick-Up at BRES

The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school (June 16).

Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. However, with parent or guardian permission, a high school student may transport over-the-counter medications to and from the school health room. If your student will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, the existing medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program, but you will need to pick up the medication on the last day of school and deliver the medication and completed forms to the summer learning site on the first day of the summer program. Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s). Medication authorization forms for next school year may be obtained from the school or online at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/school-health-services.

A medication authorization form is required for any medication, prescription or over-the-counter, to be kept at school. Please be sure medication orders are clear. All information on the form must be completed. Part I must be signed and dated by the parent or guardian. Part II must be signed and dated by your health care provider. Approved over-the-counter medications given for headaches, muscle aches, orthodontic pain, or menstrual cramps do not need a health care provider’s signature. Antibiotic or antiviral medications for 10 consecutive school days or less do not require a health care provider’s signature either. For all asthma medications, a Virginia Asthma Action Plan must be provided. More detailed information is available on the back of the medication authorization form(s). Over-the-counter medication must be in the unopened original container and clearly labeled by the parent or guardian. No more than 100 pills/tablets of OTC medication should be brought to school at a time. All prescription medication, including samples, must be labeled by the pharmacist or health care provider. Please make sure that the label clearly states your student’s name, the name of the medication, the dosage of the medication, and the time to be given.

Your cooperation will ensure that we can safely give your student, their medication. If you have any questions, please contact Keila Santiago, school health room aide, or Nancy Kokulis, school public health nurse at 703-227-1400. Thank you for your cooperation.

Don’t Forget to Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance!

It’s a busy time of year, and we know there are many priorities on families’ plates. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important for families to remember to check their students’ MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance. 

Families who earn less than 185% of poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals. However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2023-24 school year will be available near the end of August. 

If families have a current balance and think they may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2022-23 school year. Get more information about free and reduced-price lunch.

If you are interested in helping to relieve lunch debt for families currently going through the FRM application process, please donate to Educate Fairfax.

State Student Assessment Summary Reports

At the May 25 School Board meeting, Dr. Reid presented information on a new Virginia Department of Education report called Virginia’s Visualization and Analytics Solution (VVAAS) Student Assessment Summary. 

Virginia school divisions will be distributing a report to parents showing their student’s past Standards of Learning (SOL) testing data. Reports will be provided, through SIS ParentVUE or by mail, for any student who has an SOL testing history in the state of Virginia as of Spring 2022. 

In addition to showing a student’s performance on SOL tests over time, it also shows how that performance compares to other Virginia students who took the same test. This report, along with a companion letter, will be available mid-June. 

FCPS uses various data sources to determine student growth and success. The  Student Assessment Summary Report is just one piece of information in the larger picture of student assessment in FCPS. Learn more about what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines. 

Online Campus Summer Registration Closing Soon!

Registration for taking a summer class with the Online Campus will close Friday, June 9. Email OnlineCampus@fcps.edu or call 703-503-7781 with any questions. 

Registration for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s Middle School Technology Institute (MSTI) also closes on Friday, June 9.

Other Summer Learning Opportunities

Registration is still available for Institute for the Arts (IFTA) and Elementary-IFTA (E-IFTA) arts camps, Credit Recovery Academy, and  CyberPatriot Summer Cyber Camp.

School Board Adopts FY 2024 Budget with Focus on Student Achievement

The Fairfax County School Board unanimously voted to adopt the FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Approved Budget at their regularly scheduled Board meeting last Thursday. The budget focuses on closing the achievement gap for all students, and maintaining a world-class public school division by recruiting and retaining outstanding educators.

The FY 2024 Approved Budget totals $3.5 billion—a net increase of $221.7 million or 6.7% over the FY 2023 Approved Budget. Nearly 86% of the Approved Budget is targeted at instruction. Increased security measures and the continuation of green investments are also acknowledged. Read more about the FY 2024 Approved Budget.

New Strategic Plan Presented at School Board Meeting

Superintendent Reid presented FCPS’ new Strategic Plan to the School Board during their recent Board meeting. The new plan was developed after months of dedication and hard work from our entire FCPS community. It will be our North Star in charting our course through 2030. The student-centered and data-driven plan will be guided by five goals and four supporting pillars. Watch the Strategic Plan presentation. The School Board will vote on the plan at their meeting on Thursday, June 15. Find out how to view the Board meeting.

Tutor.com Offers Live Tutors and Test Prep

Writing help, practice quizzes, and SAT test prep are available to all FCPS students at no cost through Tutor.com. Find out how your child can get these services, in addition to 24/7 live tutoring, through their Schoology account: Elementary School | Middle and High School. 

Get to Know FCPS and the Resources Available to Families

Being connected to your school community helps you stay informed and support your child’s success. Take some time to get familiar with the many resources and tools available to FCPS families, including:

• School Age Child Care (SACC) – This Fairfax County government program provides a safe and fun environment before and after school for elementary school-age children.
• FCPS Communications for Families – FCPS shares news and information to support student learning and promote family involvement.
• Family Engagement Resources – FCPS works to connect, strengthen, and support our families, schools, and communities. Learn more on our website.
• Do You Know About Family Liaisons – Family liaisons serve as a link between families and schools. Find out how family liaisons can support you and your family.

There’s an easy to follow five-step process outlined for parents registering their children for kindergarten. Be sure to register your child ASAP!