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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!
January 25: End of Second Quarter: 2-hour Early Release (students dismissed 2:00pm)
January 26: Student Holiday (Teacher Work Day for Staff)
January 31: BRES Spirit Night at Skate N Fun Zone, 6-9pm
*The full FCPS 2023-2024 calendar can be accessed here.
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Quarter End, Early Release, and Student Holiday
Thursday, January 25, is the last day of the quarter and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Friday, January 26, for a teacher work day. See the complete school year calendar.
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Understanding the FCPS School Calendar
In this informative video, you’ll get a clear understanding of how to navigate the FCPS calendar, including religious and cultural observances days and evening-only observance days that start after sunset.
[English Video, Español (Spanish) Video, 한국인 (Korean) Video]
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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Congratulations 2023-24 BRES Outstanding Employee Awards
Kirsten Birge - Teacher of the Year
Ben Vest - New Teacher of the Year
Rachael Younkins - Outstanding Professional
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Congratulations 5th and 6th Grade Chorus
Our 5th & 6th grade chorus, led by the amazing Kelly Butler-Noel & Allison Lynskey performed at the Centreville Pyramid Concert earlier this month. The event was amazing & having the opportunity to watch all the choruses from our pyramid come together was magical!
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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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Gentle Reminder: Please Arrive On Time to Your Bus Stop
Please be mindful that your child needs to be at their bus stop a few minutes before they are scheduled to be picked up. An on-time pickup means a timely arrival to school and allows for our bus drivers to maintain their other routes without falling behind. Families, thank you for supporting your children with this request.
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What Families Can Do to Fight Drug Misuse
FCPS is committed to raising awareness about the opioid epidemic with our educators, parents/caregivers, and students. Together, we can help ensure our students thrive.
What can families do?
- Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse. More than 80% of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink.
- Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success.
- Show you are a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs. Find helpful resources on the FCPS Opioid Awareness webpage.
- Pay attention to your child and discourage risky behaviors.
- Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding drinking and drug use. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they will say, “No thanks.”
Visit the FCPS website for more information.
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow
This is the time of year when winter weather and children’s illnesses can take a toll on school attendance. But it’s important to get your children to school every day possible.
Do what you can to keep your children healthy. Dress them warmly for the cold weather. Encourage them to wash their hands regularly and send them to school with hand sanitizer.
For the remainder of the school year, let's continue to work together to nurture a rock-solid attendance habit. Every hour of every school day is a unique opportunity for students to learn, connect, and grow.
If you or your child need support, please reach out to our school social worker or family liaison. If your child is not feeling well, please refer to the When Should I Keep My Child Home? webpage for guidance.
Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
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Military-Connected Families Newsletter 📰
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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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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FCPS This Week
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- FCPS Receives $16 Million to Buy More Electric Buses
- Science Fair Judges Needed
- How Families Can Help Fight Opioid Misuse
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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DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers
9 Apps for Parents
A resource from Cultures of Thinking (Ron Ritchhart)
Nine easy discussion starters for parents of the App Generation:
- Name and Notice Thinking
Use the language of thinking to name and notice the thinking your child is using and thus make it more visible. I like how you have used what you already know to make connections. That’s a perspective I hadn’t thought about.
- Develop a Growth Mindset
Develop a growth mindset in your child by focusing your praise on process, learning, and effort (You really worked hard on this and have learned a lot. You’ve really developed as a musician.), as opposed to ability (You’re so clever. You’re good at math.)
- Challenge but Don’t Rescue
When your child encounters difficulties, don’t jump in to solve the problem and rescue him/her. Instead, ask questions that will help him/her to think through the problem, identify, and choose a course of action to moving forward.
- What Questions Did You Ask Today?
Our questions drive us as learners. Instead of asking your child, “Did you learn anything today?”, you could say, “Did you ask a good question today?” This will encourage your child to be more invested in the types of questions they ask at school.
- Focus on the Learning Over the Work
Learning is the goal of an assignment. Take a moment to ask your child what the purpose of each homework assignment is, what do they think the teacher wants them to learn and get better at as a result. Then monitor the learning, not the work.
- Support Your Child in Arguing Effectively and Persuasively
Research has shown that teenagers who argued constructively with their parents by building a case and providing evidence for their position were more enabled to speak up, voice an opinion, and use evidence in other facets of life.
- Provide Time to Pursue Passions
Students need time and space to pursue their passions and interests. Pay attention to your child’s learning and passions outside of school and make time for them.
- Make Your Own Thinking Visible
You are a model for your child of what it means to be a thinker and a learner. Model your own interests, passions, curiosity, reflection, learning, and thinking for your child.
- What Makes You Say That?
By simply asking, “What makes you say that?”, in a curious and non-judgmental tone after someone has given a response, we are able to get a window into the thinking behind that person’s initial response.
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 (Principal)
Jenna Campbell (Assistant Principal: K,2,4,6)
James Marotta (Assistant Principal: K,1,3,5)
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