Cub Run Family Newsletter

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Upcoming Dates

December 12: PTA Meeting and Cookie Swap-In-person & Virtual; 7:00PM

December 16-20: Winter Spirit Week

December 15: Advanced Academics Program Full-time Referral Deadline

December 23-January 3: Winter Break

December 25: Religious/Cultural Observance: Christmas, First Day of Hanukkah

January 6: School Resumes, Religious/Cultural Observance: Three Kings Day/Epiphany

January 7: Religious/Cultural Observance: Orthodox Christmas


Cubbie News

Winter Spirit Week-December 16-20

spirit week

snowflake

Donations Needed to Help Spread Winter Cheer to our Cub Run Staff

Please help us appreciate our exceptional staff this winter season as we celebrate 10 days of winter cheer! We are grateful for any support. Please review the available slots here and click on the button to sign up. The items can be dropped off in the main office or brought in by your student prior to the date on the specific item. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Melissa, principal. Thank you for helping us spread some winter cheer throughout the halls of Cub Run!


Safety Reminder for Arrival & Dismissal

We are seeing an increase again in unsafe actions on Sully Station Drive and our bus loop during our arrival and dismissal procedures. If you are dropping your student(s) off in the morning or picking up at dismissal, please utilize our Kiss and Ride/Car Rider line to safely drop off or pick up students. If you are parking and walking, please park near our crosswalk and utilize the crosswalk that is supported by our amazing crossing guard and use our sidewalks to walk to door 4.  

Unfortunately, we are seeing students walk/run across Sully Station Drive where there is no crosswalk and we are concerned about our students and families. There is also a safety concern when parking along Sully Station Drive and walking through our bus loop. Please utilize sidewalks because our buses are arriving or departing with our students. 

Thank you for your partnership in utilizing our procedures to ensure a safe arrival and dismissal for our school community. 


Reminder: Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART)  Naomi Egerton Baker  no later than December 15, 2024

The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually.  Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted. 

Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement.  Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART)  Naomi Egerton Baker at nhegertonbak@fcps.edu. 

Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall. 

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.


Positivity Project

This week and next week, our school is focused on the character strength of Gratitude. Gratitude means being aware of and grateful for good things that happen.

Gratitude is about feeling and showing thankfulness. It helps us see the good in others and in the world. People with gratitude are ready to appreciate and return kindness. Expert Robert Emmons says gratitude strengthens relationships because it makes us recognize how others support us.

Out of all 24 character strengths, gratitude is the single best predictor of individual well-being. It is linked to more energy, empathy, happiness, and optimism. The good news is that gratitude can be practiced and strengthened like a muscle. The more we practice it, the more benefits we get.

To practice and encourage this strength at home, please visit The Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families (available in English and Spanish), where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote and three questions. Below are links to this week’s P2 for Families lessons. Click on the grade level that best meets your child’s needs.

Thank you for your support!


Webinar- Protecting Kids Against Digital Exploitation: Keeping Kids Safe Online

December 13, 2024, from 10-11:30 a.m. Register Here

Join us for this important webinar presented jointly by Fairfax County Schools, the Fairfax County Police Department, the Department of Justice, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Webinar Highlights:

  • What is Sextortion?
  • What are FCPS and FCPD seeing in relation to sextortion?
  • How can families help prevent their kids from becoming victims?
  • How should families respond if their child was victimized?

PTA News

General Meeting & Cookie Swap

Don't forget to join us for our General Meeting and Cookie Swap on December 12th at 7pm in the school library. This is a great opportunity to meet other parents, share holiday cheer, and learn about upcoming events. Please bring your favorite holiday cookies to share.


PTA Mtgs

Bingo Night

bingo

FCPS News

Middle School Start Time Study

⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.


FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

  • Family Academy Orientation
  • Literacy Resources
  • Winter Programs and Activities

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.  


Winter Resources from Fairfax County Government Agencies

  • Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

  • 📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.

Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

  • ⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.


Reminders

Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.


Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care. You can also reach out to a member of Cub Run’s Clinical Team for assistance by calling the main office. 


ccares

Contacts

Cub Run Main Office: 703-633-7500

Cub Run Attendance Phone Line: 703-633-7575

Cub Run Attendance mailbox: CubRunElem.Attendance@fcps.edu

Technology Support for Families/Parent Help Desk: 1-833-921-3277

Parent Information Phone Lines/Support for parents who do not speak English as their first language: Parent Information Phone Lines

Parent and Student technology support: IT Support Portal

FCPS Free and Reduced Meals Information & Application: Information 

Melissa Miller, Principal, mhmiller@fcps.edu 

Nausheen Haider, Assistant Principal, nfhaider@fcps.edu 

Brittney Kalbaugh, Administrative Assistant, bwood@fcps.edu 

Namrata Saxena, Student Information Assistant, nsaxena@fcps.edu

Christina Davis-Luczak, Office Assistant, cddavislucza@fcps.edu

Michelle Shea, Office Assistant, mrshea@fcps.edu


Be Informed, Stay Involved!