Virginia Run Weekly Message 10/9/24

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو


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

 

October 9, 2024


IN THIS ISSUE

  1. Staff Cookout this Friday, 10/11
  2. Early Release Mondays Letter
  3. AAP Full Time Screening Parent Information Night
  4. Viking Math Corner
  5. Technology at Home
  6. FCPS Cares
  7. Positivity Project at Virginia Run
  8. VRES Scholastic Book Fair
  9. Veterans Day Collage
  10. Attention Parents of 4th Graders - Veterans Day Concert
  11. PTA Social Vice President Needed
  12. Join the VRES PTA
  13. Virginia Run Fall Fun Night - Save the Date!
  14. PTA Fall Fun Night Volunteers and Donations
  15. VRES Spirit Wear!
  16. Donut Drive-Thru Fundraiser
  17. No Fuss Fundraiser!
  18. SCA Service Project
  19. Card My Yard 
  20. Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
  21. PTA Meeting Dates
  22. Westfield HS DECA Shoe Drive
  23. FCPS Parent Workshops
  24. Important Upcoming Dates
  25. Frequently Visited Links and Important Virginia Run Contacts
  26. Monthly Lunch Menu

 


VRES Mission

Staff Cookout

1. Staff Cookout this Friday, 10/11

This Friday, we will be hosting a staff cookout for our amazing staff during their lunchtimes. The lunch will include using our PTA purchased grill from this past spring to cook hotdogs, hamburgers, and veggie burgers. If you would like to provide side dishes and/or desserts, we would greatly appreciate your support. You can drop off your side dish/dessert in the front office from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. Please use the link below to sign up. Thank you!

VRES Staff Cookout Donation Sign Up

 


2. Early Release Monday Letters 

Today every student will bring a GREEN 3 Hour Early Release Monday letter home in his/her Wednesday Envelope. The responses you provide on this letter will set a default dismissal plan for your student(s) for the remaining 3 Hour Early Release Mondays this year. All letters are due back to homeroom teachers by Friday, October 18th. Any future changes to your child’s dismissal on a 3 Hour Early Release Monday must be communicated to the main office (703-988-8900) by the Thursday prior.

 3 Hour Early Release Mondays:

  • October 28th
  • December 9th
  • February 24th
  • March 17th
  • April 28th
  • May 19th

 


Gerstner

Mr. Gerstner enjoyed reading some of his favorite books to our kindergarten students this week.

 


3. AAP Full Time Screening Parent Information Night

AAP (Advanced Academic Program) Full Time Screening Parent Information Night

Please join us on Tuesday, October 29 from 7:00 - 8:00 PM, in the VRES Library, to find out more about the winter screening process for full time placement in the Advanced Academic Program.

This information is targeted for families with 2nd – 6th grade students.

Ms. Wade, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, will share information about the screening process and the required components.

The winter referral deadline for level IV referral forms is December 15th 2024.  

More information and referral forms can be found here.

Please contact bwade@fcps.edu with any questions. 

 


4. Viking Math Corner

ProblemSolving

Have you heard your student talk about ST Math or Jiji the penguin? ST Math helps students develop their problem solving skills, learn to persevere, and connect visuals and reasoning to math content.  Data has shown that students who earn at least 1,000 puzzle pieces show improvement on their Math iReady and SOL scores. Students have the opportunity to engage with ST Math during the school day.  Your student(s) can also access ST Math at home on their personal device for additional practice. Here is a video on how to login to ST Math at home. Questions? Reach out to Katie Campbell (Math Resource teacher) at kecampbell@fcps.edu.

 


5.Technology at Home

We are excited to share that our school website is a valuable resource that can significantly enhance your child's learning experience both in and out of the classroom. With a wealth of educational materials, interactive tools, and important announcements, our website offers a convenient way to stay connected to your child's academic progress.  

You can find our Tech Tools at https://virginiarunes.fcps.edu/resources/tech-tools

 


FCPS Cares

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. Positivity Project at Virginia Run

Positivity

This week offers a chance for teachers and students to review or catch up on our positivity project traits so far. Since the start of school, our school community has learned about five character traits: Curiosity, Teamwork, Open-Mindedness, Perspective, and Forgiveness. We have also learned about the Other People Matter mindset, and how being present and giving others attention can help build positive relationships.

To practice and encourage the Other People Mindset at home, please visit the Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families.

 


Scholastic

8. VRES Scholastic Book Fair

Our Virginia Run Scholastic Book Fair will run Tuesday, October 15th until Monday, October 21st at 11:30am. Join us for Family Shopping Night on October 18th from 5:30-7:30!

Students can shop during their regular library day/time. Cash, credit, and checks (payable to Virginia Run ES, not Scholastic) accepted.

Cashless eWallet recommended. There’s no tax on book fair purchases.

eWallet set up and more information about the book fair is at our VRES Scholastic Book Fair webpage.

Please consider helping to make this book fair successful by volunteering if you can.

Hope to see you there!

 


9. Veterans Day Collage

Every year at Virginia Run, the 4th graders put on a Veterans Day assembly to honor our Veterans from every branch of the military. As a way of honoring our Veterans from the Virginia Run community Ms. Berg, Ms. Adkins and Ms. Tuben will be putting together a collage of pictures of Veterans, past and present, to display from November 6 – November 15. This collage will be on display on the wall near the cafeteria. Feel free to email Ms. Berg (jmberg@fcps.edu) a picture of a Veteran from your family. If you have several Veterans in your family, we welcome multiple pictures. Please be sure to include who the Veteran is in your family (grandpa, aunt, etc.) and their full name and rank. This is for ALL Veterans past and present. If you have a relative who did not return home from their service, please know that we plan to honor these servicemen and women in May for Memorial Day. Please submit all photos by Monday, October 28, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Berg. Thank you!

**Please note that if you have submitted photos in previous years, they will be on display so there is no need to resubmit.

 


10. Attention Parents of 4th Graders - Veterans Day Concert

Veterans Day is on November 11, 2024. The 4th grader's Veterans Day Concert will be on Friday, November 8th. This program will showcase the entire 4th grade singing in unity to honor the armed forces and our veterans. There will be two performances in the cafeteria on November 8th at 9:45 am and 2:45 pm. Parents are invited to attend the 2:45 pm performance however, if you cannot make that one you are welcome to attend the 9:45 am performance.

Attire for students for both concerts is casual with a patriotic or red, white, and/or blue theme.

 


11. PTA Social Vice President Needed

The PTA Board needs a Social Vice President! Our current Social VP, Cara Priester, accepted a position as 6th grade teacher at VRES beginning this year. Congratulations Cara! We are thrilled to have her as a teacher, but sad to see her take the step of vacating her PTA Board seat. Thank you for all you did in this role last year! 

We’re looking for an individual who thrives on celebrating others! We’re so lucky to have such an amazing staff and we want to ensure that they are recognized. The role of the Social VP is to oversee volunteers and committees to organize social events for our school community and to recognize our teachers and staff in various ways throughout the school year. 

If you’re interested in joining our PTA Board, or if you have any questions, please contact Cara Priester at vresvpsocial@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

 


12. Join the VRES PTA

Join the VRES PTA TODAY! Your dues help fund PTA sponsored events, staff support, and school improvements. You will have access to the school directory, receive newsletters with information regarding events, yearbook pre-order sales, and more! Join by October 2nd to be entered into a raffle. The class with the most memberships wins a popsicle party!

To join, return the form that was sent home in the Wednesday folder with your payment. 

PTA Membership Form 24-25 - English

PTA Membership Form 24-25 - Spanish

 


13. Virginia Run Fall Fun Night - Save the Date!

Save the Date! Virginia Run’s Fall Fun Night will be held on October 18th at VRES from 5:30 - 8:00 PM. Bring the whole family for an evening of Fall Fun Activities. See the schedule below.

5:30 - 8:00 - Fall Festival, Cafeteria, Gym, Lobby, Kiss ‘n Ride Loop

5:30 - 6:30 - Trunk or Treat, Bus Loop

5:30 - 7:30 - Book Fair, Library

Save the Date Fall Fest 2024 Flyer

Pre-order food by using the form that was sent home in the Wednesday folder.

Fall Fest 2024 Food Order Sales

 


14. PTA Fall Fun Night Volunteers and Donations

We look forward to seeing students and their families at the annual VRES Fall Fun Night on October 18. This evening is a favorite of students, staff and families which includes Trunk or Treat, Fall Fest and the Scholastic Book Fair. To make the event a success the PTA relies on donations and volunteers. Please use the links below to view opportunities to support this event.  Additionally, for those planning to partake in Trunk or Treat part of the evening, we kindly ask for a donation of one bag of candy or non-candy items per child participating. These donations, as well as donations towards the Fall Festival , may be dropped off in the designated area in the foyer.

Volunteer Opportunities:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA4AA2BA4FB6-51001139-fall#/

 

Donation Requests:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA4AA2BA4FB6-50994562-fall#/

 


15. VRES Spirit Wear!

Order your VRES Spirit Wear Today! There are 3 ways to order. You can order by using the form that was sent home in the Wednesday folder, by using the QR code provided on the form, or by going to VRESPTA.PTboard.com. Cash or checks made payable to VRES PTA. Orders will be accepted through Thursday, October 10th. Your order will be delivered to your child’s classroom in October. Please contact VRESVPFundraising@yahoo.com.

Spirit Wear Flyer - English

Spirit Wear Flyer - Spanish

 


16. Donut Drive-Thru Fundraiser

Help us support our kids! Virginia Run will have a Donut Drive-Thru on Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM in the VRES Kiss ‘n Ride lane. Donuts are $16 per box. You may also order certificates that can be redeemed for one dozen glazed donuts at any Krispy Kreme. To order your donuts and/or certificates, please return the lower portion of the form that went home in the Wednesday folder with payment made out to VRES PTA OR order online at https://vrespta.ptboard.com by October 14, 2024.

Questions? Email Heather Ervin at heyheatherrice@hotmail.com.

Donut Drive-Thru Fall 2024 - English

Donut Drive-Thru Fall 2024 - Spanish

 


17. No Fuss Fundraiser!

Would you like to support the VRES PTA, but not have to fuss with any fundraising events this year, guilt-free?! Then this fundraiser is for you! Use the QR code on the flyer that was sent home in the Wednesday folder to support Virginia Run!

VRES No Fuss Fundraiser 24-25

 


SCA

18. SCA Service Project

The students in the SCA are partnering with the Fairfax Department of Family Services to gather new hygiene products for families in need. If you would like to help, students may bring in the items below from October 14 - October 25. Please consider various ages, genders, and cultural needs. Collection boxes will be in the lobby. Thank you for supporting our students as they demonstrate Ethical and Global Citizenship!

PK/K: Clorox wipes and toilet paper

1st: Shampoo and conditioner

2nd: Other hair products, brushes and combs

3rd: Chapstick and deodorant

4th: Lotion, soap, and body wash

5th: Toothpaste, floss, toothbrushes, and mouthwash

6th: Baby shampoo, wash, and wipes

  


19. Card My Yard

Support our school by using Card My Yard Centreville! Our school receives $10 for each order. You will save $10 too. Use the code VRESCVILLE10 when ordering. 

Card My Yard Flyer - English

Card My Yard Flyer - Spanish

 


20. Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

Students and staff greatly appreciate the support we receive from the PTA. All parents are encouraged to join the PTA and help make the 2024-2025 school year successful for all students.

PTA Board for 2024-2025:

President: Christina Minogue

Treasurer: Matthew Reklau

Secretary: Laura McAndrews

VP of Fundraising: Amanda Prindle

VP of Education: Kimberly Wilson

VP of Social: Cara Priester

To stay informed regarding all upcoming PTA activities, visit the PTA website at https://vrespta.ptboard.com/.

If you would like to reach the Board, please email VirginiaRunPTA@gmail.com.

 


21. PTA Meeting Dates for 2024-2025

PTA Meeting Dates for the 2024-2025 school year. Meetings start at 7:00 PM.

11/12 – General Meeting

2/11 – General Meeting

3/11 – General Meeting

4/8 – General Meeting

5/13- General Meeting

 


22. Westfield HS DECA Shoe Drive

Westfield High School’s DECA is partnering with funds2go to host a shoe collection fundraiser during October and November. Donated shoes should be gently used or new. The shoes collected will be sent to developing countries to help create job opportunities. Funds2go provides over 4,000 micro-entrepreneurs with shoes to serve as inventory for their small businesses. This collection of shoes helps these business owners support their families. 

Donations can be dropped off at:

Bull Run Elementary

Virginia Run Elementary

Stone Middle School

Floris Elementary

Oakton High School

Westfield High School

Each school may have placed their drop-off bins in different locations around the school, so make sure to double check that you have the correct drop off location.

Please see the flyer for more information.

WHS DECA Shoe Drive Flyer

 


23. FCPS Parent Workshops

FCPS is offering a free 10-week parent workshop to all parents in Fairfax County.

Get tools to learn:

  • How to build a positive relationship with your child
  • Ways to prevent or intervene in alcohol and drug use, disruptive behavior at home and gang affiliation
  • Ways to explore concrete solutions for active supervision.

When: Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 PM
Where: Falls Church High School

Virtual sessions:
October 15, 22, 29
November 5, 12, 19, 26
December 3

In-Person:
October 8
December 10

2024 FCPS Parent Workshops

 


24. Important Upcoming Dates

10/14: Staff Development Day - Student Holiday

10/15-10/21: VRES Book Fair

10/17: Picture Day

10/18: VRES Fall Festival

10/28: Early Release Monday- Virginia Run will release students at 1:00 PM

10/31: End of Quarter 1 - 2 Hour Student Release at 2:00 PM

11/1: Diwali- Student Holiday

11/4: School Planning Day- Student Holiday

11/5: Teacher Workday- Student Holiday

11/11: Veterans Day- Student Holiday

11/21: Thanksgiving Lunch - All Grade Levels - Parents Invited

11/27-11/29: Thanksgiving Break- Student Holiday

12/9: Early Release Monday- Virginia Run will release students at 1:00 PM

12/11: Winter Chorus Concert

12/23-1/3: Winter Break- Student Holiday

1/20: Martin Luther King, Jr’s Birthday- Student Holiday

1/28: End of Quarter 2

1/29: Teacher Workday- Student Holiday

2/17: Washington’s Birthday and President’s Day- Student Holiday

2/24: Early Release Monday- Virginia Run will release students at 1:00 PM

3/17: Early Release Monday- Virginia Run will release students at 1:00 PM0

3/28: End of Quarter 3

3/31: Eid-al-Fitr- Student Holiday

4/1: Teacher Workday- Student Holiday

4/14-4/18: Spring Break- Student Holiday

4/28: Early Release Monday- Virginia Run will release students at 1:00 PM

5/19: Early Release Monday- Virginia Run will release students at 1:00 PM

5/26: Memorial Day- Student Holiday

6/9: Westfield High School Graduation at 9:30 AM

6/11: Virginia Run ES 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony at 9:30AM

6/11: Last Day of School- 2 Hour Student Release at 2:00 PM

View the calendar online here: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/2024-2025-standard-school-year-calendar.pdf 

 


25. Frequently Visited Links and Important Virginia Run Contacts

 


26. Monthly Lunch Menu

Please use this link to view the Virginia Run ES Lunch Menu.

October Lunch Menu