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Kristen Rucinski - Principal Ebony Opie - Assistant Principal
Gunston Gazette
Upcoming Events
Gunston Volunteer Training
September 13, 2024 - 9:00am - 10:00 am (library)
Hispanic Heritage Month Begins
September 15, 2024
Three-Hour Early Release Monday
September 16, 2024, Students will dismiss at 12:30 p.m.
AAP Information Night
September 26, 2024
Gunston PTA 5K & 1K Races
September 29, 2024
Holiday (Rosh Hashanah)
October 3, 2024
Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
October 4, 2020
Weekly Reminders
- Dismissal changes should be submitted to the office by 2:30 p.m
- No student may be checked-out after 3:00 p.m. Please arrive early.
- Lunch visitors will be welcomed beginning September 9th to ensure school staff have time to teach and reinforce cafeteria routines and procedures.
- The school does not accept food deliveries for students
- Please make sure to bring your ID when coming to the building
2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Monday, September 30.
You can submit questions online regarding the SR&R.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.
⚠️ Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or community members have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
New Feature in ParentVUE: Report Full-Day Absences
Starting on the first day of school, Monday, August 19, parents/caregivers can submit full-day absences through FCPS’ SIS ParentVUE platform. This will make reporting and tracking absences easier for our school.
Parents/caregivers may report absences by using ParentVUE or by contacting the front office. Please find important details below:
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How to Use ParentVUE: Log in to your ParentVUE account and select “Report Absence.”
Student Consent Forms
Student consent forms currently available on ParentVue will be moved to the Parent Digital Consent System (PDC). Families can log into the PDC using their ParentVue credentials to complete consent forms assigned to their child. If you have a new ParentVue account, you must wait 24 hours after it is created to use the PDC.
https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/is01/r/pdcp/
Forms available include:
School Counseling Opt-out, Digital Resources Consent, SEL Screener Opt-Out, Family Life Education Opt-out, SOL Retest Permission Objection, Release of Directory Information to the Public Objection, Release of Information to Outside Organizations
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost.
Families who qualified for FRM from SY 23-24, will continue to qualify for the first 30 days of school. A new application must be submitted by October 1 for SY 24-25 consideration.
Apply on the Free and Reduced-Price Meals webpage.
Immunizations and Records
Are Your Child’s Immunizations and Records Up to Date?
In Virginia, it's required by law for students to have certain immunizations to attend school. This is supported by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health, and FCPS Regulation 2101.
Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.
You can check your child’s immunization compliance by accessing ParentVUE.
Families of students with incomplete immunization records need to provide acceptable proof of immunization to their child's school as soon as possible. You can find the list of required immunizations on the General Registration Immunizations webpage.
If your child’s immunizations are incomplete, here's what you need to do:
- Get your child’s immunization record from one of these places:
- Request immunization records for free through the Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS).
- If your child was immunized outside Virginia, get records from those states’ systems.
- Request records from your healthcare provider. Some may charge for copies.
- Submit your child’s immunization record to your child’s school.
Families should submit their child’s completed immunization records before September 30.
Please visit FCPS’ website for more information. If you would like to speak with an FCPS staff member, please leave a message at one of the phone numbers below. Thank you for supporting our students' health and well-being.
Early Release Mondays
This year, a requirement for Elementary Teachers (classroom, special education, and ESOL) from the Virginia Literacy Act includes approximately 27 hours of asynchronous training focused on the Science of Reading and evidenced-based literacy during the 2024-2025 school year. As a result, Fairfax County Public Schools has planned for 7 early release Mondays starting in September.
Please note the dates and times listed below for Gunston Elementary on your calendars. (These dates only apply to elementary school-age students)
September 16
October 21
November 18
February 10
March 10
April 21
May 12
FCPS has created a webpage to provide detailed information about the early release Mondays.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12
The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Each goal has an equity commitment — the promise we make to every student to support them in attaining these goals. Each goal also has several measures that allow us to track our progress.
The first goal in the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they're joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success.See how Goal 1 is being put into practice.
Make Every Day Count! The Importance of Attendance
As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school.
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 (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.
Learn how families can help form good attendance habits.
PTA News & Information
Join the Gunston Elementary PTA
Sunday, September 29th
5K & 1K Races
All participants receive a medal!
Proceeds benefit After School Clubs at Gunston ES
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