Kristen Rucinski - Principal Ebony Opie - Asst. Principal
Gunston Gazette
Principals' Message
Dear Gunston Families,
As we embrace the cooler days of November, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the fantastic start we’ve had to this school year. We have officially completed our first quarter, and progress reports are a valuable opportunity for us all to reflect on each child’s achievements, set new goals, and continue our journey of growth together. I encourage you to take time with your child to review their progress report and celebrate the efforts they have made so far. Recognize their strengths, and help them see areas where they can continue to grow. It’s a great way to emphasize that learning is a journey, and every step forward is a celebration.
November is also a month for giving thanks and showing appreciation. At Gunston Elementary, we are focusing on ways to show gratitude, both big and small. We are talking to students about expressing thanks to their classmates, teachers, and even family members. Whether it’s a kind note, a simple “thank you,” or helping someone in need, these acts of kindness go a long way in building a strong, supportive community.
You can continue this focus at home by talking with your children about kindness. Ask them about ways they can show appreciation each day, and encourage them to look for opportunities to help others. Kindness is a habit that grows when it’s practiced regularly, and it’s one of the most powerful tools we have in creating a positive culture both at school and at home.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are helping our children soar to new heights, embracing the journey every step of the way.
Wishing you a wonderful month filled with gratitude, kindness, and connection.
With gratitude,
Ms. Rucinski and Mrs. Opie
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Early Release Monday is Monday, November 18
As a reminder, Monday, November 18th is a 3-Hour Early Release Day. Students will be dismissed at 12:20 pm or stay for supervision. A confirmation communication was sent to families during the week. SACC will be open at 12:20 pm for students who are enrolled in that program.
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Upcoming Events & Reminders
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November 18: Three hour early release Monday
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November 19: Fall Picture Make Up Day
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November 21: Thanksgiving Lunch
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November 27 - November 29: Thanksgiving Break (school closed)
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December 4: Ernie Eagle Awards Assembly
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Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
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Attendance - Reporting Absences and Tardies
To report your child absent/tardy from school, please report absences through your SIS ParentVUE account, call 703-541-3600, or email GunstonElem.Attendance@fcps.edu (reporting absences through Talking Points to the teacher is not official)
Click here to learn more about the impact of regular school attendance.
Boundary Review Community Meeting
Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting for Region 6, which will take place on Thursday, December 12th at Annandale High School. Click here for details
Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available.
If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.
Complete your survey - click here!
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.
For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Friday, November 22.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
Click here to view the video on the Federal Impact Aid Survey.
6th Grade Fundraiser
PTA News & Information
Gunston Families!
Our Turkey Trot is here! This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and helps us to fund things like classroom items, field trip busses, our STEM night and science fair, fun connection events like Doughnuts with Grownups, our math and reading programs, appreciation items, and much more!
PTA is offering individual prizes based on amounts raised. We will also have the opportunity to earn prizes as a class or grade based on each daily challenge. I’ve provided the list of class/grade prizes below and will be sending reminders during the next week. Keep an eye out for the individual prizes poster sent out by PTA, as well.
We will have prizes for participation even without funds raised, so please have your students visit www.MYBOOSTER.COM, sign up, and make their profile today to give our class a chance to win an EXTRA RECESS!
Thank you in advance for your support!
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