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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
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School Hours: 9:15 am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday
School building opens for students at 9:00 am
Office: 703-988-8900
Attendance: 703-988-8989
March 15, 2024
IN THIS ISSUE
- SOL Spring Schedule
- The Positivity Project at Virginia Run Elementary
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Parent Input Form for 2024-25 Class Placement
- Family Engagement Survey
- Kindergarten and New Student Registration
- Recognize Our VRES Staff Who Go Above and Beyond
- Picture Day Volunteers
- Survey of Preschool Children
- Volleyball Game - Virginia Run vs. Cub Run!
- Pizza and Chicken Sandwich Pre-order for Volleyball Game
- Virginia Run ES 9th Annual Viking Dash
- Yearbook Photos Needed
- Yearbooks are on Sale!
- March Technology Advice
- 2024 Summer P.E. Sports Camp
- Box Tops for Education
- School Lunch Menu Options
- Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
- Important Upcoming Dates
- Frequently Visited Links and Important Virginia Run Contacts
🌷Calendar Reminder: Spring Break
Monday, March 25, to Friday, March 29 is spring break. Schools and school offices will be closed.
We wish our students, teachers, and school-based staff a happy and restful spring break!
🗓️ Quarter End/Teacher Workday
Friday, March 22, is the end of the third quarter. Monday, April 1, and Tuesday, April 2, are school planning and teacher workdays, respectively. There will be no school for students on these days. See the school year calendar.
1. SOL Spring Schedule
Please see below for the Virginia spring SOL (Standards of Learning) schedule. A passing score is anything between 400-600. Any student who does not pass the SOL and scores in the range of 375-399 will have the opportunity to retake the Math, Reading, and Science SOL. Retakes will be held from May 28th to 31st. If you do not want your child to retake an SOL, please reach out to your teacher via email to let them know.
3rd Grade:
- Reading SOL May 1st
- Math SOL May 16th
4th Grade:
- Reading SOL May 1st
- Math SOL May 16th
5th Grade:
- Integrated Reading Writing SOL April 18th
- Reading SOL May 2nd
- Math SOL May 15th
- Science SOL May 22nd
6th Grade:
- Reading SOL May 2nd
- Math SOL May 15th
2. The Positivity Project
Weekly character strength for March 18-22:
 This week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Perspective. Perspective means you appreciate when people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.
Perspective is also referred to as wisdom and is distinct from intelligence. People with this strength are sought out for advice because they see the big picture and can make sense of the world’s complexity. This strength of perspective gives individuals the ability to see to the heart of difficult matters and achieve clarity. Most importantly, they are honest and behave in an ethically consistent manner.
Perspective helps an individual make sense of the world. It provides clarity on what matters and what does not. Being able to see things from multiple angles helps individuals remain calm and learn from mistakes; they are typically highly self-aware. Reflecting on their own feelings, thoughts, and motives helps them understand and empathize with other people. These individuals are strong listeners and ask great questions. Individuals with the strength of perspective help their group get through difficult or uncertain circumstances because they’re poised and can identify opportunities for success.
To practice and encourage the character strength of perspective with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2), where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.
Mrs Showalter uses the “V” for Victor hand signal to gather her class’ attention as they remember to walk “second tile, single file” in the hallway.
3. Parent Input Form for 2024-25 Class Placement
With the end of the year quickly approaching, we are already looking ahead to next school year. While we look at class placements for the coming year, we want you to be aware of the process. We place students in classrooms based on numerous criteria. Students are grouped so that classrooms are heterogeneous, having a balance of boys and girls, a balance of academic performance and ability, and groups that will allow for the greatest support from our resource teachers.
Classroom teachers will have input into the recommendations for next year, as will our counselors and specialists. Our staff has been told that we will not take requests for particular teachers because we base our placement on instructional criteria and individual student strengths and needs. It is unfair to give special consideration to some parents when it would be impossible to grant requests from all parents. Please be aware also that grade level assignments for staff sometimes change, due to late enrollments or other changes. Staff assignments are determined at the end of the summer. Our staff has been directed not to give out information about placement prior to that time to avoid disappointing parents and students when changes are made.
In addition, we also value parent input. If you feel there is pertinent information to support your child’s success for the upcoming school year, you may submit your input by clicking on this Parent Input Google Form. The parent input forms are due by May 17, 2024. We value and consider your insight into your child’s learning needs. Taken together with teacher input, your feedback informs class placements.
4. Family Engagement Survey
Participate today!
Your voice matters!
Do you feel welcome at your child's school? Are you informed of your child's progress? Now is your chance to give feedback on your school's welcoming environment, communication, volunteer opportunities, and more.
Share your thoughts around important topics impacting your student’s success.
By participating in the Family Engagement Survey, parents/caregivers are making their voices heard. Survey topics include:
- Welcoming environment
- Communication
- Student success
- Advocacy
- Family and school partnerships
- Community partnerships
Help us better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools.
TAKE THE SURVEY!
The survey is open through Friday, March 22.
Visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage for more information.
5. Kindergarten and New Student Registration
Calling All New Vikings!
Virginia law requires that all children who will be 5 years old on or before September 30, 2024, must be enrolled in kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year. If you do not wish your child to attend school until the following year, you must notify the school in writing.
If you have a child who will attend Virginia Run Elementary next year, please contact Betty Bancroft to register. This will allow accurate numbers for staffing and classes next year!
Register your child by:
For more information on registration requirements please visit https://www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration
General kindergarten information can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/kindergarten
Please spread the word to your neighbors who will have children attending Virginia Run ES.
6. Recognize Our VRES Staff Who Go Above and Beyond
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, 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, specifically at Virginia Run!
submit your story
7. Picture Day Volunteers
Our Spring Picture Day will be on Thursday, March 21, 2024. We need 1 more volunteer for the afternoon. Volunteers will receive a voucher that they can use towards their picture purchase.
Half Day - 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
If you would like to volunteer, please email Shannon Soria at srsoria@fcps.edu.
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8. Survey of Preschool Children
If you have a child who will be eligible for kindergarten next year, please complete the form (Form IT-112) and return it to school via your child’s teacher no later than March 22, 2024. A child is eligible for kindergarten if the child reaches his or her fifth birthday on or before September 30, 2024.
We will use the information to estimate the number of students, teachers, and classrooms that we will have for the 2024-2025 school year. It is very important that we get this information from you now, even if your plans change before next year.
There is also another way that you can help. If you know of children in your neighborhood who do not have older brothers and sisters in school, please share this letter with the parents so that they can complete the form also.
We appreciate your help in planning for next year. Thank you!
Survey of Preschool Children Form IT-112
9. Volleyball Game - Virginia Run vs. Cub Run!
The Virginia Run vs. Cub Run Volleyball Game will be held on Friday, April 5, 2024 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm in the Westfield High School Gym! Admission is FREE!
Dress in our school colors, wave your pom-poms and bring your homemade banners to cheer on your teachers and 6th grade friends as Virginia Run takes on Cub Rub in Volleyball!
Also featuring:
Virginia Run Cheerleaders
Victor Viking and the Mascot Dance-off
Pizza and Concessions (pre-order pizza starts at 6:30)
Pom-poms and spirit wear will be sold at the door while supplies last.
*** Children MUST be accompanied by an adult.
No child should be dropped off and left unsupervised. ***
Pizza and concessions will be provided by the 6th grade celebration committee.
Contact Heather Ervin at heyheatherrice@hotmail.com or Kelly Long at kalong928@yahoo.com with questions.
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10. Pizza and Chicken Sandwich Pre-order for Volleyball Game
Pizza and chicken sandwiches will be available for pre-order for the Virginia Run Volleyball Game at Westfield High School on Friday, April 5, 2024.
Order forms went went home in this week's Wednesday folder.
Paper forms are due by Friday, March 22nd. Online orders are due by Thursday, March 28th.
Drinks and Concessions will be sold the night of the event.
Proceeds will go to the 6th Grade Celebration.
Volleyball Food PreOrder Form 2024
Fourth graders creating and building their own plants with Fairfax’s 4-H Let’s Grow Horticulture School Enrichment Program.
11. Virginia Run ES 9th Annual Viking Dash
Don’t miss this exciting event!
Friday April 26th, 2024
6:00 - 7:30 pm, arrive by 5:45
Packet pick-up times:
- Thursday, April 25th, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
- Friday, April 26th, 5:30 - 6:00 pm
Viking Dash participants can walk, run or dance through the neighborhood streets on our 1.7-mile course – with shortcuts available!
Challenge yourself with a variety of (optional) fun obstacles concluding with a large inflatable obstacle slide.
Then enjoy our finish line party where participants will get a large slice of pizza, fresh fruit and a yummy frozen treat. Show your spirit by wearing your Viking Dash shirt and kick your heels up with our live DJ!
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All Viking Dash registrants receive:
⮚ Participation in all Viking Dash activities including
- The Obstacle Course
- The Inflatable Obstacle Slide
- The Finish Line Party
⮚ Viking Dash T-Shirt
⮚ Fresh fruit and slice of pizza
⮚ Yummy frozen treat
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Parents are strongly encouraged to participate in this school community event along with their children. Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome. It’s a great way to spend a Friday night with your family!
This is a rain or shine event. If necessary, we will move inside the school building.
To register online, volunteer to help with this event or for Frequently Asked Questions, visit https://vrespta.ptboard.com/.
The Viking Dash is a PTA sponsored event. All proceeds will benefit the Virginia Run PTA so that they may offer after school activities, field trip support, in-school educational events, teacher mini-grants, professional development, stipends and technology support.
12. Yearbook Photos Needed
Please continue to send photos for the yearbook of VRES events, field trips, and classroom activities (presentations, PJ day, etc) for the yearbook! Photos will be collected through late March and can be emailed to Kelly Long at kalong928@yahoo.com.
13. Yearbooks are on Sale!
Pre-order your 2023-2024 Virginia Run Elementary School Yearbook now to guarantee a copy when yearbooks are distributed in June. Paper flyers were sent home in the Wednesday folder with standard pricing. Any questions, please contact Kelly Long kalong928@yahoo.com.
https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectJob
School code 5662224
14. March Technology Advice
This month, parents can read the article to learn practical tips for easing kids' social media anxiety. The Spanish version can be found here.
Please also consider filling out this Google form and let us know how we can continue to support you at home with your child’s technology needs.
15. 2024 Summer P.E. Sports Camp
Our 2024 Summer P.E. Sports Camp is Monday, June 24, 2024 - Thursday, June 27, 2024. This 4-day camp at Virginia Run ES will offer a variety of different sports and activities for students in all grades. This camp is open to all VRES students in grades K - 6.
Contact VRES P.E. Instructor, Scott Rosenfeld, if you have any questions: ssrosenfeld@fcps.edu
Cost: $120 per participant
Register and Pay Online:
https://vrespta.ptboard.com/formvw/form?store=4128&form=20
REGISTRATION IS DUE BY MAY 24TH!
Registration Questions? Contact Kimberly Wilson: kkohlenbush@gmail.com
P.E. Summer Camp 2024 Flyer
16. Box Tops for Education
 Box Tops is a fast and easy way to support VRES! Our goal is to earn $1,000 through the Box Tops app this year!
Here’s how you can help us reach our goal:
17. 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 Virginia Run ES.
18. Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of 3rd grade.
19. Important Upcoming Dates
3/19: 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, 5th & 6th grades, 4:00 - 5:30 pm
3/21: Spring Picture Day
3/22: End of the 3rd Quarter
3/25-3/29: Spring Break
4/1: Teacher Workday - Student Holiday
4/2: Staff Development Day - Student Holiday
4/5: VRES vs Cub Run Volleyball Game, WHS, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
4/9: FCPS Religious & Cultural Observance-Eid al Fitr at sundown
4/10: Student Holiday
4/22: FCPS Religious & Cultural Observance-First evening of Passover at Sundown
4/23: FCPS Religious & Cultural Observance-Second evening of Passover
4/24: FCPS Religious & Cultural Observance-Theravada New Year
4/25: Packet Pick-up for Viking Dash, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
4/26: Viking Dash, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm; Packet Pick-up, 5:30 - 6:00 pm
5/3: Teacher Workday
5/8: Spring Chorus Concert, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
5/9: Science Quest, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
5/27: Student Holiday
6/5: Band Concert, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
6/6: Strings Concert, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
6/11: 6th Grade Celebration
6/12: 6th Grade Promotion, 9:45 am
6/12: Last Day of School - 2hr Early Release
20. Frequently Visited Links and Important Virginia Run Contacts
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