Little Run News: 4/1/24

#EveryChildEveryDay ❤️

Spark ignited! Our first-ever STEM Night was a blast thanks to Peter Plavchan and our amazing volunteers! Stay tuned for the next one! #STEM #Community #LearningIsFun

Doodling and dreams! Our 4th graders were thrilled to chat with the Mason Softball Team during art class thanks to our Adopt-a-School partnership. These role models shared stories and inspiration, and maybe even a few artistic tips! #MasonSoftball #AdoptASchool #CommunityConnections

Dive into discovery! Our 6th graders became mini-experts through their content research projects. Their incredible mini museum brought their learning to life! #ResearchRocks #MuseumMagic

Fourth graders on the move! Our curious crew explored the world of music at the Kennedy Center, enjoying a live performance by the National Symphony Orchestra. #KennedyCenter #NSO #MusicalMemories

A Message from the Admin Team

Dear Little Run Family, We hope all of our families enjoyed a relaxing and rejuvenating Spring Break! We are thrilled to welcome everyone back on Wednesday, April 3, as we kick off the 4th quarter and head into the home stretch of this academic year. We have so much to celebrate and look forward to in the coming months! Before the break, we were delighted with the success of our first-ever STEM Night. It was a true testament to the dedication of Peter Plavchan and our incredible volunteers who helped make it such a fun and engaging experience for everyone. We were also thrilled to welcome back our Adopt-a-School partners, the Mason Softball Team, who spent time connecting with our 4th graders during art class. These positive interactions leave a lasting impression on our students, and we are grateful for the support of our community partners. As we enter the Month of April, exciting events are on the horizon: The World at Little Run: Mark your calendars for April 20 as we celebrate diversity and community at the World at Little Run event. It promises to be a day filled with cultural exploration, food, and fun! 60th Anniversary: We are gearing up for a momentous occasion! Join us on May 18 as we celebrate our school's 60th Anniversary. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our staff, students, and families over the years. We'll have more details about both events in the coming weeks. We are confident that this final quarter will be filled with learning, growth, and exciting memories. We look forward to partnering with you to ensure a successful and enriching end to the school year. Thank you for your continued support of our school community! Sincerely, Christie Yarn, Principal Lesley Hassen, Assistant Principal

Little Run Kindergarten Orientation - Tomorrow, April 2 

☀️ Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8

A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20 p.m.  

Because the timing overlaps with dismissal, it is crucial that students understand the importance of safe viewing practices. We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon while prioritizing safe solar viewing.

All students and staff at Little Run will be provided approved glasses to ensure safety. We look forward to a wonderful day, and we are grateful for those experts in our Little Run community who have offer to support in facilitating some of our students' learning. 

Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)

Spring AAP Newsletter ES (PDF)

Arabic | Chinese | English | Korean | Spanish | Urdu | Vietnamese

Month of the Military Child

April is the Month of the Military Child! Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community, and recognize their strength and resilience. Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS’ resources for military families.

National Arab American Heritage Month

FCPS is proud to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in April. This special month provides an opportunity to recognize the history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans. Arab Americans have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Muslim American Heritage Month

Muslim American Heritage Month is a time for celebrating the history, contributions, culture, and an enhanced understanding of the diverse population of Muslim Americans. View the Fairfax County School Board resolution honoring Muslim American Heritage Month.

The World at Little Run - April 20

Little Run Elementary and our wonderful PTA will be hosting "The World At Little Run" on Saturday, April 20 from 1-3 p.m. This day serves as an opportunity for everyone to learn about all the wonderful countries and cultures represented within our school community. Let us know if you are interested in participating by scanning the QR code or clicking the link to complete this interest form by the deadline on March 20.

Mark Your Calendars - Little Run's 60th Anniversary Celebration - May 18

Are You Interested in Being a Student Monitor at Little Run?

Student Intention Form for SY 2024-2025

We need your help in projecting our total enrollment for next school year. Please fill out the Student Intention form for next school year (2024-2025). Hard copies of the form can be made available and picked up in the Little Run main office. If you have any questions, please call 703-503-3500 or email Nadia Ruffner.

🖍️ It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Our school typically conducts kindergarten registration events, including orientation, throughout the school year. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us plan, so that we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. 

Prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms. We are happy to support families with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For more information in other languages, visit FCPS’ Kindergarten Registration webpage.

 TJ Techstravaganza 2024

Family Literacy Opportunity

A New Family Literacy Program-Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Collaboration: Amplifying Voice and Belonging Among Multilingual Families. 

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino (NMAL) advances the representation, understanding and appreciation of Latino history and culture in the United States. NMAL aims to bring the Molina Family Latino Gallery to the community, fostering trust and co-creation of the Gallery's learning opportunities, including activating the Learning Lounge as a space for direct community involvement. As part of a collaboration between NMAL and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)  Family Literacy Program and working with NMAL Office of Audience Engagement during the fall of 2023 and spring 2024, Family Literacy participants at five sites (Woodlawn, Graham Road Community Building,  Hutchison, Centre Ridge and Baileys Lower) visited the Molina Family Latino Gallery inaugural exhibition of Presente! A Latino History of the United States to explore the theme of Latino changemakers. Following the visit, multi-session arts-based workshops are being held at each school. Participants engage in creating their own artworks, entitled “I am – Yo Soy”. These workshops aim to give access to the museum experience and to elevate multilingual participants' awareness of their own contributions to their families and communities by sharing identity and stories. NMAL plans to display the artworks at the museum’s GM Learning Lounge.

For more information contact Micheline Lavalle, Family LIteracy Specialist and/or Natalia Sosa Molina, Program Assistant.

🏐 New Athletic Opportunities for Students

The FCPS advertised budget for next school year expands high school athletics with boys volleyball and girls wrestling, giving students more ways to nurture their passion and enhance their well-being. FCPS is now in the middle of the annual budget process, which includes opportunities for you to give feedback. See the Budget Calendar for details. Learn more about the FCPS FY 2025 Advertised Budget.

New Regulation on Meditation and Silent Reflection Spaces

FCPS has developed Regulation 1502 to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division. The regulation provides guidance for schools on how to manage requests for silent reflection during instructional and non-instructional time, and for students to leave school for religious activities.

These spaces are for individuals to engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs. Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students requesting to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Families are encouraged to contact the admin team regarding accommodations. View Regulation 1502. Visit FCPS' Guidelines for Religious Activities webpage for more information.

✅ Take the Family Engagement Survey Today!

If you haven’t already, please take FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey today! Survey results will help us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our school community. Survey topics include: Welcoming environment Communication Student success Advocacy  Family and school partnerships Community partnerships The survey is available in 10 languages. Please check your email for a message from FCPS partner, K12 Insight, with a link to the survey or access the survey now. Your voice matters!

🤧 Updated COVID Recommendations

In accordance with the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory virus guidance, FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) have updated school COVID-19 recommendations.

The COVID-19 isolation period of five days is no longer recommended. 

New respiratory virus guidance applies to respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Students who have symptoms of, test positive for, or have been diagnosed with a respiratory virus may return to school when the student is fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication; AND the student’s symptoms have improved or resolved. 

Students should follow additional precautions as outlined per the CDC upon resumption of normal activities. 

Should I Send My Child to School?

Please refer to the chart on this attendance webpage if your child is experiencing symptoms or illnesses, and you are unsure if they should go to school. 

Thank you for helping keep our students and staff healthy.

Safe, Supported, and Included — the FCPS Family Summit 2024

The FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, April 20, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Marshall High School. The conference will cover topics that are helpful for all families, such as social-emotional resources, along with a specially curated online component to provide supports for students with disabilities and their families. 

Some of the topics include raising resilient, independent children; forming meaningful connections with children; addressing big emotions; and the dangers of opioids and fentanyl. The conference is being planned by several FCPS offices in collaboration with the Fairfax Alliance of Black School Educators, Black Women’s Educational Alliance - DC Chapter, Hispanic Educators Association, and Asian Educators Association. 

This year’s theme is Safe, Supported, and Included, which aligns with Goal 2 of the FCPS Strategic Plan. More details will be available after spring break.

⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

Fairfax County Public Schools is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. Prismatic Services, Inc., an educational consulting firm, will lead the forums. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule: 

• Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School. 
• Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
• Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
• Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School. 

Registration is not required but does help with planning. Click one of the dates above to register. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times. 

📖 Lexia Parent Night: How We Help Your Child Learn to Read

FCPS funds the use of Lexia for all elementary and middle schools as part of their literacy instruction. Lexia is a computer-based program that supplements classroom instruction to help students develop literacy skills. It also provides teachers with data to identify students who need additional support and the ability to know which specific concepts and skills to prioritize.

Attend a virtual information night on Tuesday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m., to learn more about Lexia and how FCPS is integrating it into the classroom to support student growth. Participants will also get tips for supporting their students at home. Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on level by the end of third grade.

⛱️ Summer Camp for Middle Schoolers

All rising middle schoolers are invited to attend a summer of fun and leisure with VIP Camp. VIP Camp — which takes place Monday, July 1, to Thursday, August 1 — is designed to encourage teens to develop healthy and positive recreation interests and features a wide variety of leisure activities and programs. 

Registration is open. VIP Camp costs $100 to attend. Reach out to your school's after-school specialist for scholarship availability due to financial hardship. This camp is sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services.

Mason Basketball Camp Opportunities 

Little Run Elementary PTA

We encourage everyone to join our wonderful PTA this year! Please click HERE to check out our PTA's website and to learn more about how your family can get involved.

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Looking Ahead at LRES

April 1 and 2 No School - School Planning Day/Teacher Work Day April 2 Kindergarten Orientation 1:30-2:30 p.m. April 10 No School - Holiday - Eid al Fitr April 15 Purple Up! Day - Wear Purple to support military-connected families April 16 Woodson Art Show April 20 The World at Little Run from 1-3 p.m. April 29 Full-Time AAP Orientation from 5-6 p.m. in the library May 18 Little Run 60th Anniversary Celebration from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Be Informed, Stay Involved!

Visit the Little Run ES Website

Technology Support for Families

Monitor your student's academics with a SIS Parent Account

Sign up for Little Run News

Follow Little Run on Twitter

Join the Little Run PTA

PTA homepage

AmazonSmile supports Little Run through the PTA

Recognize a FCPS Employee at FCPS Cares

4511 Olley Lane, Fairfax, VA 22032  | Main Office: 703-503-3500
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