Good afternoon families!!
There is one week left in the first quarter (and October) and we close out with a great event! Fall Festival is Tuesday, October 29th, from 4:30-6:30 after school. There is a link below for "pre-ordering" tickets and food. There are games, events, and the annual "pieing" of the administrators! Make sure you buy raffle tickets for that fun opportunity!
We also have the last day of the 1st quarter on Thursday, October 31st. That day will also be a 2 hour early release. All students will be released at 2:05 to go home (or to SACC).
Thursday is also Halloween. While we love this fun day and celebrate it in a variety of ways, we do not allow students to wear Halloween costumes to school (pre-school is exempt). While some costumes are fun, others can be scary and we do not want to disrupt instruction. I also do not want to tell some students they can wear a costume and others they cannot. Students who arrive in costume will be kept in the main office until a parent can arrive with regular school clothing.
Lastly, I want to give a HUGE shout out to our Military Connected Families Committee and our Purple Up Team for all the work they have done over the last three years. During that time, we have had professional development exercises, programs & events, community outreach, and school improvements with regards to our military connectedness. The end result is that we were awarded our FIRST "Purple Star Designation" as a military connected school. Thank you to Angela Lock, Chelsea Sipe, and their committees, for all of the work they did to earn us this prestigious honor!
Sincerely,
Mark Bibbee
Principal
Cherry Run ES
October 29 - Fall Festival - Blacktop & Field - 4:30-6:30
October 31 - Last Day of Quarter - 2 hr Early Release
November 1 - Student Holiday - No Students - School is CLOSED
November 4 - Teacher Workday - No Students - School is OPEN
November 5 - Teacher Workday - No Students - School is OPEN
- Elementary School Language Arts Grading Updates
Our teachers have been hard at work teaching with the new Language Arts curriculum, and we are excited to help all of our students become strong readers and writers! This year we also have new assessments, which is how we check if your student needs extra help with reading and writing, and new Standards of Learning (SOLs).
Because of these changes, we are now teaching all of the Language Arts skills your child needs to know (and checking if they need extra help) throughout the whole school year, instead of different skills each quarter. While these skills will be new to your child in the beginning of the year, the goal is for your child to grow strong in all of their new skills by the end of the year.
This means that when you get your child’s progress report next month, it might look different. Your child’s teacher will give you more information on the new progress reporting and how we’re making sure your child is getting any extra help they might need. You can also find more information on FCPS’ Grading and Reporting webpage.
We will also have new ways for you to help your child practice their reading and writing skills at home. These resources are coming soon!
- Actualizaciones de las Calificaciones de Lenguaje para la Escuela Primaria
Nuestros maestros han estado trabajando duro enseñando con el nuevo currículo de Artes del Lenguaje, ¡y estamos emocionados de ayudar a todos nuestros estudiantes a convertirse en fuertes lectores y escritores! Este año también tenemos nuevas evaluaciones, que es como comprobamos si su estudiante necesita ayuda adicional con la lectura y la escritura, y los nuevos Estándares de Aprendizaje (SOLs).
Debido a estos cambios, ahora estamos enseñando todas las habilidades de Artes del Lenguaje que su hijo necesita saber (y comprobar si necesitan ayuda adicional) durante todo el año escolar, en lugar de diferentes habilidades cada trimestre. Aunque estas habilidades serán nuevas para su hijo al principio del año, el objetivo es que su hijo se fortalezca en todas sus nuevas habilidades al final del año.
Esto significa que cuando reciba el informe de progreso de su hijo el mes que viene, puede que tenga un aspecto diferente. El profesor de su hijo le dará más información sobre los nuevos informes de progreso y sobre cómo nos aseguramos de que su hijo reciba la ayuda adicional que pueda necesitar. También puede encontrar más información en la página web de Calificaciones y Reportes de FCPS.
También tendremos nuevas maneras para que usted ayude a su niño a practicar sus habilidades de lectura y escritura en casa. ¡Estos recursos vienen pronto!
FCPS - SEH-23
How Cold is Too Cold to Allow Students to Play Outdoors??
Deciding when students may play outdoors remains the responsibility of the principal, based on his or her professional judgement after considering the information provided on the fact sheet. Principals should communicate with their community that it is the intention of the school to hold recess during cold spells and that parents should have their children prepared to play outdoors (jackets, gloves, and hats).
Based on the guidance provided in the regulation, Cherry Run has adopted the following "Cold Weather Policy" for students:
When temperatures drop below 50 degrees we do not allow students who are not wearing leg coverings (e.g. pants/sweats, etc.) and a warm jacket/sweatshirt/hoodie to go outside. Long-sleeve tee-shirts do not count. Students without appropriate covering will be brought to the office or library where they can read until their class returns.
Please remember to have your students dress appropriately for recess and PE! While outside recess is at the teacher’s discretion, and we ask that they use good judgment, teachers are able to take students outside for up to 15 minutes when the temperatures reach ZERO!!
We are aware that sunshine, cloud cover, wind, etc. impact the 'relative' temperature, but having a clear guideline helps with planning for parents/students and gives teachers an objective measure in making determinations.
Fall festival is right around the corner and we need your help to make it a success! We have lots of fun games planned, concessions, a "treat" walk, and not one but two inflatables! Please consider volunteering your time before, during, or after the event. See the sign up genius for all the opportunities to help. If time is not something you can donate, consider purchasing something from our amazon wish list. This year's proceeds will fund fun new instruments for the music program, teacher appreciation events and teacher wish list items, as well as other requests that come up throughout the year. Preorders for unlimited game wristbands, concessions, and the famous pie in the face raffle will be coming in the next few weeks.
Contact: cresfallfestival2024@gmail.com
Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/16PM1LBUY5T88?ref_=wl_share
Sign Up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FADA92BA4F5C07-51358591-cres
A sign up genius for games is circulating at Lake Braddock. If slots are not filled, we will post that sign up here closer to the event.
- The application period for Fuel Assistance 2025 began October 8th and will end on November 8th. This year, the state of Virginia pre-approved selected households for Fuel Assistance. If a family is unsure if they were pre-approved, please have them contact Jodie.White@fairfaxcounty.gov. If they were pre-approved, there is no need for them to submit an additional application. More information in attached English and Spanish flyers.
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Safeway Pharmacy has been hosting free immunization clinics at Frost Middle School for any FCPS student age 18 or younger. The clinics are one of many ways FCPS is providing opportunities for students to receive their required immunizations. The next clinic will be Monday, October 28th, 3-7 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times.
- The Getting to Know FCPS interactive orientation seminar provides information about the school system, the links between family engagement and student achievement, school staff you should know, and programs and technology considerations for families. The orientation includes a discussion that is helpful for families new to the United States. Sessions in English will be held online on Tuesday, October 22nd, at 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, November 12th, at 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, December 10th, at 6 p.m.; and Thursday, December 19th, at 6 p.m. The Family Academy Catalog page has registration information and dates this orientation will be offered in Arabic, Korean, and Spanish.
- Looking for a way to support military families in the NOVA area? Operation Homefront provide Holiday Meals and gifts military families who qualify. Volunteer to pack, wrap, or distribute this season at Operation Homefront/NOVA
Calling All Cherry Run Artists!
The PTA Reflections National Art Contest is back at Cherry Run Elementary School! The 2024 theme is "Accepting Imperfection." Submissions will be accepted until November 1, 2024. Below you will find the guidelines for each art category, as well as a Digital Dropbox where you will submit photos of your child's art and the Entry Form. Happy Creating!
Entry Form with Guidelines
Digital Dropbox - For Entry Submission
- Limited Early Release Mondays for Elementary Schools: Steering Committee Update
As a reminder, FCPS elementary schools will have limited early release Mondays during the upcoming school year. The goal is to provide elementary teachers with additional time to meet new professional development requirements for the Virginia Literacy Act.
You can help us with planning for the seven early release Mondays. Please watch your email for a short survey from us asking if your child will leave at the early release time on these days or remain at school until the standard dismissal time. Your response will help us in planning activities for students who will need to stay at school until regular dismissal time.
We realize there are many details for us to finalize before our first early release Monday in mid-September. Thank you for your patience, we strive to create a positive and successful experience for students, families, and teachers.
Early release Mondays for our school include:
- November 18
- February 10
- March 10
- April 21
- May 12
Learn more about Early-Release Mondays.
- 🎤 Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:
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Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary
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Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle
Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
Want to know if your child's bus is on schedule or where the bus is? Here Comes the Bus® is an easy-to-use website and app that enables parents to see the location of their child’s school bus — almost in real time — on a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer.
Parents can track multiple buses if their children don’t all ride the same bus; know exactly when children arrive at school or the bus stop; and receive customized text and/or email notifications about bus locations, schedule changes, or delays.
To get started, download the app from the Apple iOS or Android app store. Check out the Here Comes the Bus and Frequently Asked Questions webpages for more information.
Already using the Here Comes the Bus app? Send your feedback to HCTB@fcps.edu.
Note: eNotify text messaging will continue to be used for reporting bus delays and bus incidents.
- 🚍 Here Comes the Bus (Ahí Viene el Autobús)
¿Quiere saber si el autobús de su hijo llegará a tiempo o dónde está? Here Comes the Bus® es un sitio web y una aplicación fáciles de usar que permiten que los padres vean la ubicación del autobús escolar de sus hijos -casi en tiempo real- en un smartphone, una tableta o un ordenador personal.
Los padres pueden ver la ubicación de varios autobuses en caso de que sus hijos no viajen todos en el mismo autobús; saber exactamente cuándo llegan los niños a la escuela o a la parada de autobús; y recibir notificaciones personalizadas por mensaje de texto y/o correo electrónico sobre la ubicación de los autobuses, los cambios de horario o los retrasos.
Para comenzar, baje la aplicación de la tienda de aplicaciones de Apple iOS o Android. Consulte las páginas web Here Comes The Bus y Preguntas Frecuentes para obtener más información.
¿Ya utiliza la aplicación Here Comes the Bus? Envíen sus comentarios a HCTB@fcps.edu.
Aviso: La mensajería de texto eNotify seguirá utilizándose para informar de retrasos e incidencias en los autobuses.
- 🙋 Student Attendance and Engagement
During the Academic Matters segment of the November 9 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid discussed student attendance and engagement. Attendance and absenteeism rates are one measure for Goal 2 of our 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Chronic absenteeism — which is defined as a student missing 10% or more of school for any reason — is a concern across Virginia school districts. Although FCPS continues to outperform the state average in attendance rates, we are tracking chronic absenteeism closely.
Data shows that:
- Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
- Only 17% of students who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade were reading proficiently in third grade, compared to 64% of those with good attendance.
- Students who fail to read at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely than students who achieve proficiency to drop out of high school.
- By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
Attendance is critical for academic success!
Missing School Over the Holidays
Looking ahead to the holiday season, if missing school is unavoidable, please speak with your child’s teachers in advance to create a plan for making up missed work. However, a homework packet cannot make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom.
Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
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- 📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
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