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Kristen Rucinski - Principal Ebony Opie - Assistant Principal
Gunston Gazette
In This Issue
- Native American Heritage Month
- Veterans Day
- Impact Aid Survey
- Community Review of Elementary English Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources
- Nominate a Staff Member for FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards!
- Children's Book Week
- Lost & Found
A Note from the Principals
Dear Gunston Family,
We hope this letter finds you well as we enter the beautiful month of November. As we transition from the excitement of the first quarter into the heart of the academic year, it’s essential to take a moment to reflect on the incredible efforts of our young Eagles.
We are immensely proud of the dedication and hard work our students have displayed during these initial months. Their enthusiasm and commitment to learning continue to amaze us all. This is a testament to the nurturing environment our school provides and the support they receive from their families. Our AVID Showcase visitors were impressed with the level of engagement, critical thinking, and warm culture.
Parent-teacher conferences have begun. These conferences are a crucial opportunity for you to connect with your child’s teachers, discuss their progress, and gain insights into their academic journey. We encourage all parents and guardians to participate in these conferences to ensure that we can work together to provide the best possible education for our students.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, this month is an excellent opportunity for our students to learn about gratitude and giving back. Thank you to all the families who donated socks and food last month to support our local community. We celebrated together at our Harvest Walk last week. Here are a few ways they can continue to show thanks:
- Thank-You Cards: Have your child create thank-you cards for their teachers, classmates, or anyone who has made a positive impact on their lives.
- Acts of Kindness: Encourage random acts of kindness, such as helping a friend in need or volunteering in the community.
- Our school community thrives on the principles of gratitude, teamwork, and support. Let’s continue to foster these values in our children as we approach the Thanksgiving season.
Thank you for your unwavering support, and together, we will make this academic year one of growth, learning, and gratitude.
With warm regards,
Ms. Rucinski and Mrs. Opie
Look at our Courtyard!
Thank you to a wonderful group of Boy Scouts along with some Gunston parents and staff members who shared a beautiful Saturday afternoon transforming our courtyard.
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness about historical challenges they have faced and how tribal citizens have worked to conquer them.
Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
Gunston Veterans Day Ceremony
Date: Friday, November 10
Time: 9:00am
Light breakfast will be held under the tent at door #3 followed by our Veterans Day Ceremony
All active duty and retired service members are invited to join us to be recognized. We look forward to seeing you!
Please send photos of your Veteran!
As part of our Veterans Day celebration, we would like to feature photographs of the active-duty and veteran members of the military on our "Wall of Honor" . Please use this LINK to upload a photo of your military family member(s) and include the individuals name, rank, and branch of service by Friday, November 3rd. As a result of the volume of pictures please only upload one photo of the service member.
You can also send a hard-copy photo into school with your child (please be sure to label it with your child’s name and teacher’s name if you would like it returned) or e-mail a digital copy to Kathryn Garcia at mkgarcia@fcps.edu.
Thank you for your service!
Please Complete - Impact Aid Survey
Federal Impact Aid Survey: Now Online
This year the Student-Parent Federal Impact Aid Survey is available online. Please log into your ParentVue from October 16 to November 2. Once logged in, please select the “Online Packets” tab at the top, then select “Federal Impact Aid Survey” from the drop down menu.
We are tasked with having a completed, signed and dated form for every student in our school, regardless of whether families work or reside on federal property.
Have questions or need a ParentVue account? Contact Alma Catin, Student Information Assistant/Registrar by email to: ANCatin@fcps.edu
Have a ParentVue account, but need assistance? Complete this Help Request Form: https://itweb.fcps.edu/itsupport/parent/
Any surveys not completed online by October 30 were sent home. Please be sure to complete and sign the survey and have your child return the original (fax or email copies may not be sent) to their teacher no later than Thursday, November 16th.
Community Review of Elementary English Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources
Fairfax County Public Schools will adopt new Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources for the 2024-2025 school year. A review committee composed of community members, administrators, and teachers met in August to review the state-approved Cycle I materials. The committee will re-convene in January to review the state-approved Cycle II instructional materials under consideration. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new resources. Please share the information included in this communication with school staff and community by November 13, 2023.
Elementary English Language Arts basal instructional resources may be accessed in person and online from November 15, 2023, until noon on December 15, 2023. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available on the Elementary Language Arts Basal Resource Review website. Those reviewing instructional materials may complete an electronic comment sheet that will be available on the website during the review period.
Hard copies of instructional materials will be available for review at:
Pimmit Hills Center, Room 207 7510 Lisle Avenue Falls Church, VA 22043
Materials may be reviewed at Pimmit Hills Center Monday - Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Visitors should enter through door #4 and check in at the main office or with the building coordinator on duty.
All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and with School Board members before the vote at the School Board regular meeting.
Please Nominate a Gunston Staff Member for an FCPS Outstanding Employee Award!
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Gunston Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link: https://forms.gle/WXqTYn5rFbn8T3xi6 . You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category).
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. .
If you have any questions, including eligibility for each category, please contact Kevin Fahy at kjfahy@fcps.edu
Children’s Book Week is the annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading. Established in 1919, it is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Every year, young people across the country participate by attending events at schools, libraries, and bookstores, celebrating at home, and engaging with book creators both online and in person. The 2023 Children’s Book Week will take place November 6-12!
The 2023 slogan is Read Books. Spark Change. This year’s theme speaks to the power that books and stories have to inspire positive change. Books can spark change within an individual reader, a family, a classroom, or a whole community. Speak with your student about books that have sparked change or new ideas in your own life. Ask them about what they are reading. Share books with new places, lifestyles, or positive messages!
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Our Lost & Found is very full!
Parents and students are encouraged to stop by the workroom across from the office to check for lost items.
Unclaimed clothing will be donated following Thanksgiving break.
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Sunday - November 5 Daylight Savings Time Ends
Monday - November 6 No School for Students - Staff Planning Day
Tuesday - November 7 Election Day - Student Holiday (Teacher Work Day)
Friday - November 10 Veterans' Day Ceremony 9:00am
Saturday - November 11 Veterans' Day
Thursday - November 16 Fall Picture Retakes
Thursday - November 16 Thanksgiving Lunch
Thursday - November 16 - ALL Impact Aid Surveys to be returned
Wednesday - November 22 - Friday, November 24 Thanksgiving Holiday
Wednesday, November 29 Ernie Eagle Assembly
Be Informed, Stay Involved!
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