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To read our newsletter in other languages, please view it on the Bull Run Elementary website.
Para leer nuestro boletín en otros idiomas, véalo en el sitio web de Bull Run Elementary.
다른 언어로 된 뉴스레터를 읽으려면 Bull Run Elementary 웹사이트에서 확인하세요.
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Please Mark Your Calendars!
December 4-8: BRES Scholastic Book Fair (see schedule below)
December 5: Book Fair Family Night, 4:30-7:00 pm, BRES Library
December 6: Winter Choral Concert, 7:00-8:00 pm, BRES Gymnasium
December 7-15: Chanukah Begins at Sundown
December 8: Bodhi Day
December 14: Band and Strings Concert, 7:00-8:00 pm, BRES Gymnasium
December 15: AAP Full-Time Program Referral Form Due (gr. 2-6)
December 18-January 1: Holidays | Winter Break
December 25: Christmas
December 26-January 1: Kwanzaa
January 1: New Year's Day
*The full FCPS 2023-2024 calendar can be accessed here.
Follow BRES on Social Media
Did you know Bull Run Elementary is on social media? Follow us to see photos and videos from our classrooms/events and connect with other families.
FACEBOOK: FCPS Bull Run Elementary School
INSTAGRAM: bullrunelem
FACEBOOK (PTA): BullRunESPTA
BRES Website: https://bullrunes.fcps.edu/
PTA Website: https://bullrun.memberhub.com/
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School Lunch Menu Options
FCPS' Food and Nutrition Services team has been rolling out improvements to the menu that better reflect the diversity of our student body and focus on fresh, healthy food. Learn about FCPS’ new menu options.
See what is for breakfast and lunch at Bull Run Elementary.
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December 7 - Chanukah
 Happy Chanukah to all in our BRES community who celebrate! This Festival of Lights is an 8-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple, and the miracle of a small quantity of oil that lit the Temple's menorah for 8 days. #OurBRES #chargerSTRONG
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December 8 - Bodi Day
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Bodhi Day, Thursday, Dec. 8, is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days.
Learn more about Bodhi Day in this video from the Miami Children’s Museum.
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December School Spirit Days '23
Tuesday, December 5 - Mad about Plaid: Wear your favorite plaid/flannel
Wednesday, December 6 - Snowy Day: Wear head to toe blue as we create a snowy day inside!
Thursday, December 7 - The Festival of Lights: In honor of the 1st day of Hanukkah, let’s wear something that sparkles or glitters!
December 11 - Dress like a candy cane: Do you dare wear stripes? Or perhaps you prefer to just wear red and white!
December 12 - Winter wonderland: Dress in your warmest winter gear (scarves, hats, earmuffs, gloves/mittens, etc.)
December 13 - Dreaming of pajamas: Wear your coziest PJs, slippers, and/or blankets
December 15 - Holiday sweater/accessories: Wear an ugly or not so ugly holiday sweater and any holiday gear you please!
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Colder Weather = Warmer Clothes
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Bull Run Elementary reminds families that as our weather turns colder over the next few weeks and we finally welcome some winter temps, to please send students with jackets/sweatshirts for school. We still plan to maximize our time outside. Students will be more comfortable if wearing the right attire.
Thank you in advance for helping your child stay warm!
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Virginia Growth Assessment, Grades 3-6, Testing Dates (REVISED)
Parents/caregivers, please make sure you keep these dates in mind as the VGA helps us understand how our students are progressing toward grade level benchmarks.
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December 7: 5th Grade Reading
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December 11: 6th Grade Reading AND 3rd Grade Reading
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December 13: 4th grade Reading
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January 5: 6th Grade Math
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January 8: 5th Grade Math
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January 9: 4th Grade Math
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January 11: 3rd Grade Math
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Continue to Create a Smooth Kiss & Ride
Bull Run Elementary reminds families who use Kiss & Ride to please pull all the way forward and follow the direction of present staff. By pulling all the way forward, we allow for the greatest number of cars to release behind you. Please also help your child be packed and ready to quickly exit the car so that the line can keep moving. Thank you in advance for your attention to these reminders.
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 Bull Run Elementary Fall Book Fair!
Monday, December 4: 9:30-3:45 pm
Tuesday, December 5: 9:30-3:45 pm, 4:30-7:00 pm (Family Night)
Wednesday, December 6: 9:30-3:45 pm
Thursday, December 7: 9:30-3:45 pm
Friday, December 8: 9:30-12:00 pm
Parents are welcome: Many teachers have filled out a wish list. Ask to see their list when shopping if you would like to buy something for their classrooms.
For more information, here is the Book Fair website!
Lost and Found is Growing
 The Lost and Found box at Bull Run Elementary has been growing. There are many, many jackets and sweatshirts. If you are missing any of these items please stop by and take a look. The Lost and Found area is located in the lobby, near the cafeteria. We will be donating the unclaimed items to those in need during Winter Break. Thank you!
Reminder: Window for Full-time AAP Referrals Closes
December 15, 2023
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time (Level IV) Referral Form to Mrs. Stephanie Will, AART, no later than December 15, 2023.
The window for families to submit a referral for full-time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for full-time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for full-time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection.
Referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific AAP or part-time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for full-time AAP next fall.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
Bull Run Elementary Spirit Days every Friday - Wear BULLS Gear or Blue and White/Gray!
Bull Run Elementary encourages every students to wear our school colors, blue & white, every Friday! This is a simple way we can show our community spirit and love for all things BRES! Spirit wear is encouraged and welcome or wear your blue and white. Make a plan with friends and see how many of you can participate! Staff often wear their blue and white or Spirit Wear on Fridays!
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Staying Healthy This Cold/Flu Season
Cases of RSV, the flu, and other viruses often rise this time of year. It is important for students to wash their hands regularly and cover their coughs and sneezes. Please monitor your child’s health daily and keep them at home if they are sick.
Visit FCPS' Health and Safety Guidance webpage for more tips.
Student Attendance and Engagement
During the Academic Matters segment of the November 9 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid discussed student attendance and engagement. Attendance and absenteeism rates are one measure for Goal 2 of our 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Chronic absenteeism — which is defined as a student missing 10% or more of school for any reason — is a concern across Virginia school districts. Although FCPS continues to outperform the state average in attendance rates, we are tracking chronic absenteeism closely.
Data shows that:
- Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
- Only 17% of students who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade were reading proficiently in third grade, compared to 64% of those with good attendance.
- Students who fail to read at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely than students who achieve proficiency to drop out of high school.
- By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
Attendance is critical for academic success!
Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
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❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather
Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon
One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices.
The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.
In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.
Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school.
🌏 World Languages Offerings in Elementary Schools Survey
Fairfax County Public Schools is considering expansion of our Dual Language Immersion programs to include new languages and school sites, as well as an expansion of new languages for our Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools program.
Parents/caregivers, please share your thoughts about expanding World Languages elementary program offerings. An FCPS survey is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Urdu, and Vietnamese. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous. The survey is optional and will close on Friday, December 8.
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Special Education Resources for Families
Fairfax County Public Schools has the following resources available to assist families of students with special needs:
- The Office of Special Education Procedural Support helps staff, families, and students with the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
- Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Contact the Ombuds Office by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing ombuds@fcps.edu.
Additionally, the Virginia Department of Education has updated the Virginia Family's Guide to Special Education. This state guide was developed to help those involved in special education including families, teachers, school administrators, advocates, and students.
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Military Families Newsletter
📰 Newsletter for Military-Connected Families
Did you know that the Office of Family and School Partnerships publishes a monthly newsletter for military-connected families? Subscribe today
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How to Access Free Resources from Tutor.com
All FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Student participation is optional and parents/caregivers can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Get more information on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services webpage.
Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Elementary - How It Works and Middle & High - How It Works. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.
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Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity
FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.
Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
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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:
There’s an easy to follow five-step process outlined for parents registering their children for kindergarten. Be sure to register your child ASAP!
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FCPS This Week
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- How FCPS Announces Weather Closings
- Keeping Your Child Warm
- Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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FCPS in the News
Recognizing BRES staff who go above and beyond
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for families, 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 Bull Run Elementary. We love our staff members; let's tell them how we feel!
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Your Partners In Education
We are in this together!! We are thankful to have the opportunity to work with your family this year and will work every day to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for your child. Please contact us when there is a question or concern. Thank you for your support and being part of our team!
Your Partner Principals,
Jason Pensler
Jenna Campbell
James Marotta
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